Charleston, IL

Full City Profile · Illinois · Coles County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
17,212 Population 1,896/sq mi density
$49,057 Median Income $30,375 per capita
$133,700 Home Value $169,446 Zillow
$819 Median Rent 31.0% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
372 Violent Crime/100K 1,816 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$49,057 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$133,700 home value, $819/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
372 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Charleston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.0 inches. The area receives 19.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.4°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation697 ft (212 m)
Area9.4 sq mi (24.2 km²)
Population Density1,896/sq mi
Coordinates39.4838°N, 88.1779°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyColes County County
Nearest AirportTerre Haute Regional (HUF)
47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.0"
5% below US avg
Snowfall 19.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.72"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.81"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score70.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability30.6 / 100
Community Resilience74.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

43 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.2. Most recent: M3.3 on May 13, 2025.

Apr 18, 2008 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M5.2 118 km
Apr 18, 2008 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M4.7 117 km
Apr 21, 2008 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M4.0 118 km
Jun 17, 2021 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.8 86 km
Nov 11, 1991 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois M3.8 76 km
Sep 19, 2017 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois M3.8 120 km
Dec 20, 1990 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana M3.7 133 km
Apr 25, 2008 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M3.7 118 km
Apr 14, 2000 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana M3.6 126 km
Nov 20, 2012 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois M3.6 117 km
May 30, 2015 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois M3.4 115 km
Jun 5, 2008 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois M3.4 118 km
Mar 2, 1990 9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois M3.4 111 km
May 1, 2008 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M3.3 118 km
May 13, 2025 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois M3.3 19 km
Oct 24, 1990 5 km ENE of Woodlawn, Illinois M3.2 144 km
Jan 29, 1993 7 km WNW of Brownstown, Illinois M3.2 89 km
Dec 17, 1990 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.2 117 km
Jul 1, 2017 9 km SSE of Mulberry Grove, Illinois M3.1 115 km
Dec 16, 1996 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana M3.1 67 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

559 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 442 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 60 km 0
Mar 20, 1976 EF4 64 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 66 km 6
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 84 km 0
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 42 km 0
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 73 km 1
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 66 km 0
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 94 km 0
Aug 21, 1977 EF3 41 km 6
Aug 10, 1974 EF3 45 km 0
Aug 10, 1974 EF3 7 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 55 km 1
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 53 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 86 km 1
Apr 1, 1974 EF3 93 km 0
Apr 29, 1963 EF3 79 km 0
Apr 29, 1963 EF3 79 km 0
Apr 22, 1963 EF3 36 km 0
Apr 22, 1963 EF3 71 km 0
Jul 21, 1961 EF3 98 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 2.0 in Coldest
February 32°F (0°C) 1.8 in Driest
March 43°F (6°C) 2.2 in
April 54°F (12°C) 4.1 in
May 64°F (18°C) 3.9 in
June 73°F (23°C) 4.7 in Wettest
July 76°F (24°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 74°F (23°C) 2.4 in
September 67°F (20°C) 2.9 in
October 56°F (13°C) 3.1 in
November 43°F (6°C) 3.0 in
December 33°F (1°C) 1.8 in

Charleston has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 28°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (1.8").

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