Charleston, Illinois

Charleston, Illinois
Nickname: 
Chucktown
Interactive map of Charleston, Illinois
Charleston
Charleston
Coordinates: 39°29′03″N 88°10′41″W / 39.48417°N 88.17806°W / 39.48417; -88.17806
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountyColes
TownshipsCharleston, Hutton, Lafayette, Seven Hickory
Founded1831
Incorporation1865
Founded byBenjamin Parker
Named afterCharles Morton - Postmaster
Government
 • TypeCity Manager
Area
 • Total
9.59 sq mi (24.83 km2)
 • Land8.88 sq mi (23.01 km2)
 • Water0.70 sq mi (1.82 km2)
Elevation
699 ft (213 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,286
 • Density1,945.7/sq mi (751.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
61920
Area codes217, 447
FIPS code17-12567
GNIS ID2393803
Websitewww.charlestonillinois.org

Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,286, as of the 2020 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor, Mattoon. Both are principal cities of the Charleston–Mattoon Micropolitan Statistical Area.