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Rantoul, IL

Frequently asked questions

Rantoul, IL

Rantoul is a village in northern Champaign County, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,371 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.

According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Rantoul has a total area of 8.59 square miles (22.25 km²), of which 8.49 square miles (21.99 km²) (or 98.79%) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km²) (or 1.21%) is water.

The community was named after Robert Rantoul, Jr., a U.S. representative from Massachusetts, and a director of the Illinois Central Railroad.

Rantoul was laid out in 1854 for the Illinois Central Railroad by John Penfield. A post office was established in 1856 as Rantoul Station; the name was changed to Rantoul in May 1862.

In 1917, Rantoul was chosen by the United States Army to be the site of Chanute Field, due to its proximity to the Illinois Central Railroad and the War Department's ground school at the University of Illinois. In the 1930s, Chanute Field grew, dominating the local economy as thousands of airmen were stationed there to train recruits. Renamed Chanute Air Force Base after World War II, it was closed in 1993 but was partly reoccupied by the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, which was permanently closed on December 30, 2015, and the Rantoul National Aviation Center. Rantoul's economy has taken a sharp decline due to the base's closing, from which it has never recovered. The book Eye of the Storm: Chanute Closes by Katy B. Podagrosi tells the story of this period.

Rantoul Family Sports Complex opened in August 2021 as a premier amateur sports facility featuring 10 all-weather baseball/softball and 8 all-weather multi-purpose fields. The complex plays host to thousands of amateur teams for tournaments and local play. It also serves as the home field for the University of Illinois "Fighting Illini" men's lacrosse team.

In 2022 the Rantoul Family Sports Complex was visited by nearly 1 million people, resulting in 7.5 million dollars in visitor spending in Champaign County.

Rantoul places a high priority on the health and wellness of its residents. The Carle Foundation Hospital, located in nearby Urbana, serves as a major healthcare provider for the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Rantoul Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Titan Fitness and Forum Fitness Center. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Rantoul, such as Heritage Lake and Glenwood Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top Sites in Rantoul, IL are HARDY's Reindeer Ranch, Willow Pond Golf Course, and Brookhill Golf Course.

Population: 12,371 (2020). ZIP Code: 61866. Area codes: 217, 447. Elevation: 745 ft (227 m). Area: 8.59 sq mi (22.26 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Rantoul, IL?

Rantoul, IL is home to a population of 12.5k people, of which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2022, 6.54% of Rantoul, IL residents were born outside of the country (820 people). In 2022, there were 2.22 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (6.26k people) in Rantoul, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.82k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.54k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the crime rate in Rantoul, IL?

The crime rate in Rantoul is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 28 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Rantoul is 1 in 36. Based on FBI crime data, Rantoul is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Illinois, Rantoul has a crime rate that is higher than 93% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Is Rantoul, IL a good place to live?

Rantoul is in Champaign County. Living in Rantoul offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Rantoul and residents tend to have moderate political views.

Sources

Wikipedia

Village of Rantoul

Carle Foundation Hospital

Rantoul Parks and Recreation Department 

Titan Fitness 

Forum Fitness Center

Heritage Lake 

Glenwood Park

HARDY's Reindeer Ranch

Willow Pond Golf Course

Brookhill Golf Course

Data USA

Neighborhoodscout

Niche

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