10 Small Towns In Rural Illinois That Are Downright Delightful

While Illinois certainly has its share of big cities, the Prairie State was so named for a reason – we still have a lot of thriving rural towns, too. Take a look at these delightful rural towns in Illinois. You’ll see quaint Main Streets, river views, historic homes, and even a Dutch windmill. Here are some of the most wonderful small towns in the state of Illinois.

Dixon, IL 61021, USA

David Wilson/flickr

The birthplace of former President Ronald Reagan is an adorable town with art galleries, a performing arts theater and many museums. It hosts multiple festivals throughout the year. Dixon’s nearly 16,000 residents enjoy the winding Rock River that runs right through the small town. Enjoy the rich history and plenty of lovely parks in this town, too!

Elsah, IL 62028, USA

Eric Beuneman/flickr

Elsah's rural setting is a popular spot for photographers who enjoy snapping pics of both the historic architecture and the bald eagles found in the area. The village is small enough that everyone knows their neighbors and roots run deep. At just 519 residents, Elsah is one of the most quaint rural towns in Illinois.

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Fulton, IL, USA

Dennis Carson/flickr

There's a lot of Dutch influence in this charming little town. It's famous for its windmill, "De Immigrant," which was built on the banks of the Mississippi River. People travel from all over to experience the friendly community and picturesque scenery. In fact, Fulton is considered one of the best rural towns to live in Illinois.

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Greenville, IL 62246, USA

Brad/flickr

Settled in 1815, Greenville is one of the oldest towns in Illinois. Around 7,000 people call Greenville home. The town's huge 775-acre lake attracts boaters and watersport enthusiasts from all across the state! Peaceful and quiet, Greenville, Illinois comprises of a farming community, history, and Greenville University.

Marion, IL, USA

OZinOH/flickr

Marion is a home town with a lot of history and a strong work ethic. First founded in 1839, today it's home to around 17,000 people. Many folks in town work for the auto parts plants, the Pepsi manufacturing plant and the hospitals there. Outside of work, however, there's plenty of fun things to do including the majestic Shawnee National Forest. Visit Marion to see why it's one of the most steadfast quaint rural towns in Illinois.

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Nauvoo, IL, USA

Ryan Ballantyne, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons

This area was once occupied by as many as 500 dwelling of the Saux and Fox people. White settlers came along in 1827, and the Mormons bought the town in 1837. The town is now home to around 1,100 people. The beautiful small city sits on the Mississippi River and is home to many Mormon historic sites today. Towns like Nauvoo are simple yet relaxing like many of the rural areas in Illinois.

Paxton, IL 60957, USA

Dual Freq/Wikimedia

Paxton is the county seat of Ford County and has around 4,700 residents. The Illinois Central Railroad ran right through this rural town. Because of its slightly higher elevation, the railroad dug down below the city to place its tracks. Several bridges in town allow cars to pass over the resulting gullies.

Pontiac, IL 61764, USA

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

This little town is so bucolic and charming that it was featured in the 1984 movie "Grandview, USA." Today, it's a thriving little town along Route 66. Visit Pontiac, Illinois for its many museums as well as the impressive historic Livingston County Courthouse.

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Red Bud, IL, USA

Nyttend/Wikimedia

Home to Southwestern Illinois College, this little town has about 3,700 residents. It was first settled in 1820, and got its name from the redbud tree, which grows there. Visit the old-fashioned town of Red Bud, Illinois for friendly smiles and caring neighbors in this quiet low crime area.

Sycamore, IL, USA

Jim/flickr

With its quaint Main Street and over 200 homes on the National Register of Historic Places, this little town is a real gem. Sycamore, Illinois is located in what is considered the heart of the Midwest. Don't let the small-town vibes fool you! Visitors to Sycamore will find plenty of fun things to do, including the museums, food, and entertainment.

These are just some of the wonderful small rural towns in the amazing state of Illinois. While cities like Chicago draw tourists from around the world, smaller communities in Illinois help to shape the Midwestern state in many positive and wonderful ways.

What are your favorite small towns in Illinois? Be sure to comment below to let us know!

There are many other small towns to see in Illinois! We’re just getting started!