Population46,863 (2020 Census)
Campus Traditions Meet the Embarras River Country
Coles County, IllinoisCharleston and Mattoon form the county’s principal urban pair, with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and smaller settlements spread through the surrounding countryside. This guide brings together a starting point for county information, public services and local connections. Begin with Charleston, then use the resource links to plan the details of a visit or an everyday errand. Check directly with each provider for current hours, access and service availability before setting out.
Coles County at a Glance
Population46,863 (2020 Census)
County SeatCharleston
Largest MunicipalityCharleston
Established1830
ZIP Codes14 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county (checked October 4, 2026)
Total Area510.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesInterstate 57; US Route 45; Illinois Route 16; Illinois Route 49; Illinois Route 121
Area Codes217 / 447 (common local area codes)
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Barlow Lock & Security, Gardenview Senior Independent Apartment Living, Rain-bow Seamless Guttering for lock and security services, independent apartment living, seamless guttering.
Discover Coles County
Coles County
The county was formed from Clark and Edgar counties in 1830 and named for Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois. Today, Charleston remains the county seat, while Charleston is its largest municipality. The 2020 Census counted 46,863 residents across the county. Its towns and surrounding countryside offer different ways to understand the same place: through public buildings, transportation routes and the communities that connect them. Local records and historical collections provide a starting point for exploring how those connections changed over time.
Life in Coles County extends beyond a single town center. Education and connected small cities are part of the local setting, alongside the routine needs of households, schools and businesses. Use county offices for the services they administer and contact municipal or township offices when a question concerns a specific address. Planning around the actual destination helps make visits, appointments and local errands more practical, especially when travel crosses town or county boundaries.
What Shapes Us
Local Heritage
Established in 1830, Coles County has a history recorded in its communities and public institutions. Start with local collections to explore specific people, buildings and events.
Landscape and Connections
Education and connected small cities help distinguish Coles County. Its county seat, Charleston, provides a useful starting point for understanding how nearby communities connect across the area.
Everyday Community
County and local offices connect residents with practical services. Follow the linked providers for details specific to your destination, address and purpose in Coles County.
Explore the towns, follow the stories, make local connections.
A Look Around
Scenes from Coles County
Places and details that tell a local story.
MyRadioLink.com
Grand Prairie Friends Receives Grant For Coles County Conservation Efforts
Read the full story at MyRadioLink.com.
Read the Story Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
Around Coles County
Stories from every corner of Coles County.
Grand Prairie Friends Receives Grant For Coles County Conservation Efforts
Read the full story at MyRadioLink.com.
Oct 15, 2026 • Local news
ClassE Opens Nominations for Coles County 20 Under 40 Awards
Read the full story at MyRadioLink.com.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Coles County 4-H to host first Fall Bash Celebration in Mattoon
Read the full story at Journal Gazette & Times-Courier.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
October 13 recap: Mattoon, Charleston & Coles County news you may have missed today
Read the full story at Journal Gazette & Times-Courier.
Oct 14, 2026 • Local news
Eastern Illinois Foodbank making stop in Coles County
Read the full story at Journal Gazette & Times-Courier.
Oct 11, 2026 • Local news
Keep These Businesses in Mind
Start with a Direct Conversation
Contact Barlow Lock & Security, Gardenview Senior Independent Apartment Living, Rain-bow Seamless Guttering directly to ask about current options, availability and the services you need.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the responsible public agency or service provider. Statewide links are labeled so you can locate the office that serves your address.
Government
County & Local Resources
Supervisor of Assessments
Property assessments, exemptions and assessment office information.
Phone (217) 348-0508
Schools
County & Local Resources
Hospitals and Health
County & Local Resources
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
Address 1000 HEALTH CENTER DRIVE P O BOX 372, Mattoon
Phone (217) 258-2513
Paris Community Hospital
Regional option in Edgar County
Address 721 E COURT STREET, Paris
Phone (217) 465-4141
Hshs Good Shepherd Hospital Inc
Regional option in Shelby County
Address 200 S CEDAR ST, Shelbyville
Phone (217) 774-3961
St Anthonys Memorial Hospital
Regional option in Effingham County
Address 503 N MAPLE STREET, Effingham
Phone (217) 342-2121
Kirby Medical Center
Regional option in Piatt County
Address 1000 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, Monticello
Phone (217) 762-2115
Public Safety
County & Local Resources
Illinois State Police
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois State Police contacts
Find the appropriate State Police contact; call 911 for emergencies.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled crime through the federal complaint portal; emergencies require 911.
Emergency Services
County & Local Resources
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
National Weather Service
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
State Parks
County & Local Resources
Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area
Bethany — regional option in Moultrie County. Check facilities and access notices.
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check facilities and access notices.
Spitler Woods State Natural Area
Mount Zion — regional option in Macon County. Check facilities and access notices.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Dewitt — regional option in DeWitt County. Check facilities and access notices.
Trails
County & Local Resources
Blackhawk Park
Paris — regional option in Edgar County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
General Dacey Trail
Shelbyville — regional option in Shelby County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Wolf Creek State Park
Windsor — regional option in Shelby County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Newton — regional option in Jasper County. Check trail access and permitted uses.
Utilities
County & Local Resources
Illinois Commerce Commission
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois 811 — JULIE
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois energy assistance
Find utility-bill assistance and the local administering agency.
Libraries
County & Local Resources
Charleston Carnegie Public Library
Address 712 Sixth Street Charleston , IL 61920
Phone 217-345-4913
Neoga Public Library District
Regional library in Cumberland County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 551 Chestnut Avenue Neoga , IL 62447-0888
Phone 217-895-3944
Sumpter Township Library
Regional library in Cumberland County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 148 Courthouse Square Toledo , IL 62468-0067
Phone 217-849-2072
Chrisman Public Library
Regional library in Edgar County; check borrowing eligibility
Address 108 North Illinois Street Chrisman , IL 61924-1001
Phone 217-269-3011
Courts
County & Local Resources
Illinois Courts
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Courts — Forms
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Court Help
Court-process information and help for people without an attorney.
DMV
County & Local Resources
Transportation
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Transportation
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Getting Around Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois public transportation
Find public transportation information and regional agencies.
IDOT transit programs
Transit program information, including rural and intercity services.
Amtrak Illinois services
Find Illinois intercity rail routes and stations; some counties require travel to a regional station.
Postal Services
County & Local Resources
USPS Location Finder
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS ZIP Code Lookup
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
USPS Informed Delivery
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans
County & Local Resources
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
VA Facility Locator
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Veterans Crisis Line
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Employment
County & Local Resources
IllinoisJobLink — official job-seeker help
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Illinois workNet
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
Work for Illinois
Statewide or federal resource; select the office or service for your address.
A Useful Starting Point
County facts and practical links for everyday questions.
Questions and Answers
Get to Know Coles County
Find background and service information below, then follow the provider links for current details.
Charleston is the county seat. Coles County Government provides county office information; check the office destination before traveling.
Charleston is the largest municipality listed in the county reference. Countywide statistics include other communities and unincorporated areas as well.
The 2020 Census counted 46,863 residents. This is a decennial count, not a current-year population estimate.
Coles County was established in 1830. The county was formed from Clark and Edgar counties in 1830 and named for Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois.
The county covers approximately 510.1 sq mi (land and water; 2020 Census geography). This total includes both land and water, rather than land area alone.
Charleston and Mattoon form the county’s principal urban pair, with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and smaller settlements spread through the surrounding countryside.
Douglas-Hart Nature Center is in Mattoon, Coles County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup with the full street address. A county boundary does not define a single postal delivery area.
Lake View Park Trail is in Charleston, Coles County. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Douglas-Hart Nature Center is in Mattoon, Coles County. Basic access is the free activity; extras may carry charges. Check the provider’s current opening times and visitor information before traveling.
Begin with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to locate the appropriate service office, or the VA facility locator for federal facilities.
Meet Your County Advertisers
Local Connections for Everyday Needs
Explore Barlow Lock & Security, Gardenview Senior Independent Apartment Living, Rain-bow Seamless Guttering for lock and security services, independent apartment living, seamless guttering.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Explore Local PlacesPlan your next stop around current information from each place.
Kids’ Fun
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon, Coles County
- Prairie Farm — Champaign — regional option in Champaign County
- Ballard Nature Center — Altamont — regional option in Effingham County
Restaurants
- Roc's Black Front — Charleston, Coles County
- What's Cookin' — Charleston, Coles County
- Yoder's Kitchen — Arthur — regional option in Douglas County
Shopping & Retail
- Copper Eagle — Charleston, Coles County
- Yoder's Homestead Shop & Furniture — Arcola — regional option in Douglas County
- Simply Amish — Arcola — regional option in Douglas County
Clothing & Boutiques
- Legacy Harley Davidson — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
- Clover Field Market — Marshall — regional option in Clark County
- Daisies and Denim — Effingham — regional option in Effingham County
Outdoor Fun
- Lake View Park Trail — Charleston, Coles County
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon, Coles County
- Fox Ridge State Park — Charleston, Coles County
Free Things To Do
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center — Mattoon, Coles County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Fox Ridge State Park — Charleston, Coles County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
- Wolf Creek State Park — Windsor — regional option in Shelby County; basic grounds/trail visit. Rentals, camping, special activities or events may cost extra.
Make Time for Local DiscoveriesChoose Your Next Stop