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Introduction to Chester, Illinois
Chester, Illinois, in Randolph county, is 55 miles SE of St. Louis, Missouri. The city’s population is approximately 5,185.
Chester History
This area was originally called Smith's Landing in honor of Samuel Smith, the founder of the community. In 1829, he began the construction of a mill, established a ferry and erected a business building. His wife hailed from Chester, England, and renamed the town after her hometown. Chester became the county seat of Randolph County in 1844. Elzie Segar, the creator of the cartoon character Popeye, was a resident of Chester. As a result, the city is also referred to as the Home of Popeye.
Chester and nearby Attractions
Things To Do In Chester
The Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area, the Hawn State Park and Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area are all accessible from Chester. Nearby historic sites include the Louis Bolduc House, Fort Kaskaskia, and Fort de Chartres. The Popeye Museum, the Heritage House Museum and the Gen. John A. Logan Museum are nearby as well.
Chester Transportation
Cape Girardeau Regional Airport is nearby.
Chester Higher Education
Nearby colleges and universities include Southwestern Illinois College, Jefferson College and Southeast Missouri State University.
Comparing Chester to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Illinois (State):
Ratings range from
(lowest) to
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Male Share of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Senior Citizens | ![]() | ![]() |
| Age of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Well-Paid Single Men | ![]() | ![]() |
| Racial Diversity | ![]() | ![]() |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | ![]() | ![]() |
| Female Share of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | ![]() | ![]() |
| Average Household Size | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Median Family Income | ![]() | ![]() |
| People Above Poverty | ![]() | ![]() |
| People in Middle Class or Better | ![]() | ![]() |
| College Educated Adults | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | ![]() | ![]() |
| Working at Home | ![]() | ![]() |
| Walking and Biking to Work | ![]() | ![]() |
| Public Transportation Use | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability of Rents | ![]() | ![]() |
| People Living Alone | ![]() | ![]() |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | ![]() | ![]() |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | ![]() | ![]() |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | ![]() | ![]() |
| Housing Recently Built | ![]() | ![]() |
| Chester Hotels & Travel Chester hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
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