Townapedia

Carlyle, Illinois

Carlyle is a city of 2,980 people in Clinton County, Illinois, founded in 1818.

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Population2,980 -11.9% since 2019
Elevation469 ft 143 m
Founded1818
Land area3.4 sq mi
ZIP code62231
Nearest airportGreenville Airport (GRE) 15 mi

Why visit Carlyle

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 4 parks and trails, 3 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include General Dean Suspension Bridge and Governors Run Golf Course.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 22°F.

About Carlyle

Carlyle is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,253 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article Carlyle, Illinois (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

Amphitheater

Cinema and theater · 1.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks1

General Dean Suspension Bridge

Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds4

Governors Run Golf Course

Golf course · 1.1 mi

3300 Governors Drive, Carlyle

Open in Google Maps · +1 618 594 4585

Carlyle Parks and Recreation

Park · 0.9 mi

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Clinton County Fair Grounds

Park · 1.1 mi

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Spillway Recreation Area

Park · 1.1 mi

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Restaurants and cafes3

McDonald's

Fast food · Burger · 0.4 mi

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DQ Grill & Chill

Fast food · Ice Cream, Burger · 0.6 mi

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Hardee's

Fast food · Burger

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History

In 1811 or 1812, a man named John Hill built one of several "block" houses along the Goshen Trail, located at what is currently 201 Fairfax Street. The houses were reportedly built to serve as a line of defense against Native Americans. John Hill built the first house to be located in what has become Carlyle. He also established what could be considered Carlyle's first business: a ferry to carry traffic across the Kaskaskia River, including a small shelter at the river which served as a toll house.

In 1816, Charles Slade and two of his brothers reached the John Hill settlement and bought him out. Charles farmed the land, took over the ferry, and within a year partnered with a man named Hubbard to start the first store, a mercantile business located at what is now 301 Fairfax Street. In 1818, a man named Calvin Barnes laid out town lots. On March 10, 1819, a post office was first established under the name Carlisle, Illinois. This spelling might have been a clerical error.

From the History section of Carlyle, Illinois on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay4

Churches and places of worship4

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Shopping1

Gas and EV charging2

Schools, colleges and libraries6

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Healthcare1

Map of Carlyle

27 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 3.0 in of rainFebruary: 2.5 in of rainMarch: 3.7 in of rainApril: 4.9 in of rainMay: 5.2 in of rainJune: 4.9 in of rainJuly: 4.2 in of rainAugust: 3.6 in of rainSeptember: 3.6 in of rainOctober: 3.4 in of rainNovember: 3.7 in of rainDecember: 3.1 in of rainJanuary: 39°FFebruary: 45°FMarch: 55°FApril: 67°FMay: 76°FJune: 85°FJuly: 88°FAugust: 87°FSeptember: 81°FOctober: 70°FNovember: 55°FDecember: 43°FJanuary: 22°FFebruary: 25°FMarch: 34°FApril: 45°FMay: 56°FJune: 65°FJuly: 68°FAugust: 66°FSeptember: 58°FOctober: 46°FNovember: 36°FDecember: 26°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan39°F22°F3.0 in
Feb45°F25°F2.5 in
Mar55°F34°F3.7 in
Apr67°F45°F4.9 in
May76°F56°F5.2 in
Jun85°F65°F4.9 in
Jul88°F68°F4.2 in
Aug87°F66°F3.6 in
Sep81°F58°F3.6 in
Oct70°F46°F3.4 in
Nov55°F36°F3.7 in
Dec43°F26°F3.1 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Carlyle Rsvr (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$77,273median household income
$155,000median home value
$983median monthly rent
37.8median age
25.4%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
75.1%of homes are owner-occupied
22.3 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1818%18 to 3424%35 to 6437%65 and over21%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Clinton County has had 4 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.

  • 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
  • 2002-05-21: Severe Storms, Tornadoes And Flooding (Tornado)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Greenville Airport (GRE) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 15 miles away.

  • Breese 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
  • Aviston 13 mi west, about 21 min by car
  • Centralia 15 mi southeast, about 25 min by car
  • Highland 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
  • O'Fallon 29 mi west, about 47 min by car
  • Troy 29 mi west, about 46 min by car
  • Shiloh 30 mi west, about 48 min by car
  • Mount Vernon 33 mi southeast, about 53 min by car
  • Belleville 34 mi west, about 55 min by car
  • Collinsville 34 mi west, about 55 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.