Uncover the rich history, vibrant community, and thriving economy of O’Fallon. Explore the heart of Southern Illinois.
We’re Bruce and Karen Carlson. We recently moved to the Metro East area of Illinois. It’s a whole new world out there. Our goal with this website is to share our exploration of the Metro East area. As we find businesses and services we use in our daily lives, we’ll share how these businesses and services have helped make our lives better and easier to live.
We’re calling our move to the Metro East area retirement, but we’re not quite sure what that means. By sharing our story with you, we hope you too will gain a better sense of what the Metro East area has to offer and how their businesses and services can improve your lives and build a better community.
This is the first of a series of articles on the cities and towns of the Metro East Area of Illinois. Today I posting about the City of O’Fallon.
When we first started to look at the Metro East area O’Fallon was the center of our search area. Our son and family live in O’Fallon and we wanted to be close by. They also attended St. Clare parish and it’s a very nice parish. The challenge became trying to buy a house in O’Fallon was a challenge. Since it was a nice area everyone wanted to buy a house in Fallon.
We couldn’t get to O’Fallon in time to buy. The houses were selling in a couple of hours, sometimes in minutes once they hit the market. Fortunately, our realtor Jane Stone didn’t waver and found us the perfect home in New Athens. So read on about the wonderful town of O’Fallon.
Here is the list of the top 10 amazing facts, statistics, and trends related to O’Fallon, IL.
Top 10 Quick Facts, Stats & Trends About O’Fallon, IL
- O’Fallon is the second largest city in the Metro-East region and Southern Illinois.
O’Fallon is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. The 2020 census listed the population at 32,289. The city is the second largest city in the Metro-East region and Southern Illinois, after Belleville. It sits 5 miles (8.0 km) from Scott Air Force Base and 18 miles (29 km) from Downtown St Louis1.
- O’Fallon was founded in 1854 and named after Colonel John O’Fallon.
O’Fallon’s namesake comes from Colonel John O’Fallon, who was a wealthy gentleman from St. Louis and a railroad promoter. In downtown O’Fallon, a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad depot was built, which helped put O’Fallon on the map. City lots were platted and sold at a public auction on May 18, 1854. A post office was established the following year and the city began attracting German settlers looking for fertile farming land.
- O’Fallon has a rich history of coal mining and railroad.
The pick and shovel on O’Fallon’s city seal represent the coal mines that were so important to O’Fallon’s economy for over 100 years. The locomotive represents the railroad to which O’Fallon owes its existence. Coal mining began in O’Fallon in the late 1800s and continued until the 1950s. The railroad connected O’Fallon to other markets and provided jobs for many residents.
- O’Fallon is home to Scott Air Force Base, which employs many military and civil service personnel.
The planes on O’Fallon’s city seal represent Scott Air Force Base, where many in O’Fallon find military and civil service employment. Scott Air Force Base is one of the country’s oldest and most prominent military installations. It was established in 1917 as a training base for World War I pilots. Today, it is the headquarters of the U.S. Transportation Command, the Air Mobility Command, and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.
- O’Fallon has a diverse and charming community with a mix of small-town caring and community pride.
O’Fallon is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, high quality of life, and civic engagement. The city has a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Some of the attractions include the O’Fallon Historical Society Museum, the O’Fallon Veterans Monument, the Family Sports Park, the Public Library, and the Hesse Park Amphitheater.
- O’Fallon has a strong educational system with award-winning schools and programs.
O’Fallon is served by two public school districts: O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90 and O’Fallon Township High School District #203. Both districts have received recognition for their academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and student achievement. The city also has several private schools, such as St. Clair Catholic School, First Baptist Academy, and Zion Lutheran School.
- O’Fallon has a thriving economy with a mix of local businesses and major employers.
O’Fallon has a diverse economic base that includes retail, service, manufacturing, health care, education, and government sectors. Some of the major employers in the city are Scott Air Force Base, Memorial Hospital East, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, C5T Corporation, Cambridge House of O’Fallon, Target Distribution Center, GE Healthcare Technologies, True Manufacturing Company Inc., Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Inc., Walmart Supercenter.
- O’Fallon has a vibrant downtown area with historic buildings and modern amenities.
O’Fallon’s downtown area is a blend of old and new, with historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s alongside contemporary shops, restaurants, offices, and residences. The downtown area hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Heritage & Freedom Fest (July), Autumn Fest (October), Tree Lighting Ceremony (November), Christmas Parade (December), and Winter Market (December).
- O’Fallon has a growing population with an increasing diversity.
O’Fallon’s population has grown steadily over the years, from 3,410 in 1950 to 32,289 in 2020. The city has also become more diverse, with a racial composition of 81.4% White, 11.2% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.1% of the population.
- O’Fallon has a low crime rate and a high safety rating.
O’Fallon is one of the safest cities in Illinois and the nation, with a crime rate that is well below the state and national averages. The city has a dedicated and professional police department that provides various services and programs to the community, such as Neighborhood Watch, Crime Prevention, D.A.R.E., School Resource Officers, and Citizens Police Academy.
Learn More Here:
2: City of OFallon, IL 1: O’Fallon, Illinois – Wikipedia : O’Fallon Sesquicentennial History : Scott Air Force Base
Certainly! Here’s a concluding paragraph for your article about O’Fallon, IL:
In conclusion, O’Fallon, Illinois, is a remarkable city that seamlessly blends its rich history with modernity. From its roots in coal mining and railroads to its thriving economy centered around Scott Air Force Base, O’Fallon offers a diverse and charming community that takes pride in its small-town caring and big-city opportunities. With top-notch schools, a vibrant downtown, and a low crime rate, O’Fallon stands as a shining example of a community that values its residents’ quality of life. As its population grows and diversity increases, O’Fallon continues to be one of the safest and most welcoming cities in Illinois. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer, O’Fallon has something unique to offer everyone, making it a truly exceptional place to call home.”
We hope you are enjoying these articles and are willing to continue to follow along as we share our adventures of learning about life in southern Illinois, This is an exciting area and we are so happy to be part of this area. Our lives are being fulfilled by the people we are meeting. Bruce & Karen.
We’re Bruce and Karen Carlson. We recently moved to the Metro East area of Illinois. This area is east of St. Louis from the Mississippi River north to Alton, east to Carlyle, back south to Waterloo and the Mississippi River, finally north to Columbia. The center is Fairview Heights, Swansea, Belleville, Shiloh, and O'Fallon. Not to be forgotten is Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Edwardsville. It’s a whole new world out there. Our goal with this website is to share our exploration of the Metro East area. As we find businesses and services we use in our daily lives, we’ll share how these businesses and services have helped make our lives better and easier to live.
We’re calling our move to the Metro East area retirement, but we’re not quite sure what that means. By sharing our story with you, we hope you too will gain a better sense of what the Metro East area has to offer and how their businesses and services can improve your lives and build a better community.
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