The Old Capitol Art Fair, May 16 and 17, reigns as one of the most
popular, juried art fairs in the country with jewelry, sculpture,
photography, pottery, metalwork, oils, watercolors and many other
media. - Photo courtesy of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
Springfield and Sangamon County aren’t just great places to visit; they’re also great places to live. The capital city and the nearly two dozen smaller communities around it offer many attractive reasons for you to make the Land of Lincoln your home. In addition to being the center of state government, the area has a rich and diverse business market, lowerthan-average cost-of-living index and excellent community-oriented neighborhoods.
People who live here know Springfield and Sangamon County offer a quality of life that blends the best of urban and rural environments.
With a population of approximately 116,000, the city of Springfield comprises more than half of the estimated 206,588 people (as of 2007) living in the Springfield metro area, which includes both Sangamon and Menard counties. Within a 50-mile radius of the Springfield community lives a pop ulation
of more than 550,000. In addition, more than 1 million visitors and tourists come here each year. Springfield is located in the central part of the state, at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 72. Its close proximity to other large cities in the state and even neighboring states makes it attractive. Chicago is 200 miles northeast of Springfield, St. Louis is 100 miles to the southwest, and Indianapolis is 195 miles east.
is relatively inexpensive, many options — including new construction in flourishing subdivisions, renovated downtown apartment spaces and majestic and charming homes in historic neighborhoods — are available.
The per capita income in the Springfield metro area is slightly more than $39,000, close to the national average. The median household effective buying income is $48,705 (adjusted to 2007 dollars). Although the income is not as high as that of larger metro areas, the cost of living is moderate, with the median sales price of an existing single-family home around $104,000 (2007 dollars). As one of the most affordable metro areas in the United States, Springfield is an ideal place in which to enjoy a comfortable life and raise a family.
Cost of living There’s good news for those who want to live the American dream of buying a nice home at a reasonable price: Springfield consistently rates as one of the most affordable and stable housing markets in America and ranks as one of the least-expensive places to live in the country. Despite the fact that the cost of living here is lower Job market than the national average and housing Springfield has a diversified economic
base, balanced between the public and private sectors. Although state government is the area’s largest employer, with 17,000 workers, it’s not the only game in town. Springfield’s focus has long been viewed solely as the center for state government, but the capital city has developed into a profitable business arena, with a variety of small and large companies making an international impact on the global market. The city supports products for export throughout the world, ranging from cake mixes and livestock feed to space-age electronics, and serves as headquarters for 12 nationally known insurance companies and more than 165 state, regional and national associations. Home to three major hospitals and a world-renowned heart-surgery institute, the community is also recognized as a leader in the health-care industry.
The top five employers in
