Find Career Counselors Serving
Champaign, IL

Frequently asked questions

Champaign, IL

Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 88,302 at the 2020 census. It is the tenth-most populous municipality in Illinois and the fourth-most populous city in the state outside the Chicago metropolitan area. It is a principal city of the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, which had 236,000 residents in 2020.

Champaign shares the main campus of the University of Illinois with its twin city of Urbana, and is also home to Parkland College, which gives the city a large student population during the academic year. Due to the university and several technology startup companies, it is often referred to as a hub of the Illinois Silicon Prairie. Champaign houses offices for the Fortune 500 companies Abbott, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Caterpillar, John Deere, Dow Chemical Company, IBM, and State Farm. Champaign also serves as the headquarters for several companies, including Jimmy John's.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Champaign has a total area of 23.14 square miles (59.93 km²), of which 22.99 square miles (59.54 km²) (or 99.37%) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km²) (or 0.63%) is water.

Champaign is a city in central Illinois and is located on relatively high ground, providing sources to the Kaskaskia River to the west, and the Embarras River to the south. Downtown Champaign drains into Boneyard Creek, which feeds the Saline Branch of the Salt Fork Vermilion River.

Champaign shares a border with the neighboring city of Urbana; together they are home to the University of Illinois. Champaign, Urbana, and the bordering village of Savoy form the Champaign–Urbana Metropolitan Area, also known as "Champaign–Urbana". It may also be colloquially known as the "Twin Cities", "Chambana" or "Shampoo–Banana".

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with Carle Foundation Hospital being a cornerstone of comprehensive healthcare services. Oxygen Spa Studio focuses on delivering high-quality, customized spa treatments. Midtown Athletic Club is a premier fitness facility offering a wide range of services, including state-of-the-art gym equipment, group fitness classes, tennis courts, and personal training. East Bank Club is one of the largest and most comprehensive fitness centers in the country. It offers extensive workout areas, over 150 group exercise classes per week, swimming pools, a golf center, and racquetball and squash courts. LA Fitness is a well-known chain of fitness centers with multiple locations across Illinois. Facilities typically include a wide variety of cardio and strength training equipment, group fitness classes, personal training services, and amenities such as swimming pools, basketball courts, and saunas. Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) offers multiple locations in Chicago, each providing a range of fitness services including group classes, personal training, and specialized fitness programs.

Top sites in Champaign, IL are Krannert Art Museum, William M. Staerkel Planetarium, and Crystal Lake Park.

Population: 91,961 (2025). ZIP codes: 61820–61822, 61824–61826. Area codes: 217, 447. Elevation: 764 ft (233 m). Area: 23.14 sq mi (59.9 km²).

FAQs

What is Champaign, IL famous for?

Enjoy a lifetime of world-class educational opportunities in Champaign. Widely known as home to the University of Illinois, the City of Champaign hosts several other outstanding educational resources. Whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, there are tons of transportation options in and around Champaign.

Is Champaign, IL a good place to live?

Champaign is a town in Illinois with a population of 88,628. Champaign is in Champaign County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Champaign offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes.

Is Champaign, IL a suburb of Chicago?

Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 88,302 at the 2020 census. It is the tenth-most populous municipality in Illinois and the fourth-most populous city in the state outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

Sources

City of Champaign

Wikipedia

Niche

Carle Foundation Hospital

Oxygen Spa Studio

Midtown Athletic Club

East Bank Club

LA Fitness

Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) 

Krannert Art Museum 

William M. Staerkel Planetarium

Crystal Lake Park

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.