Chester, Illinois

About Chester

Chester, IL is a close-knit town located in southwestern Illinois with an estimated population of 6,759.

Chester holds the status of an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 5.77 square miles, giving it a balanced suburban layout with room to breathe at roughly 1,171 residents per square mile.

📰 Chester News Today

• Mary Lee Randolph Obituary (2026) - Chester, IL - Pechacek Funeral Homes - Chester Legacy obituary · Aug 17
• Chester Boys Varsity Basketball @ Fairfield MaxPreps · Aug 15
• Dr. John Robert Beck Obituary Jun 19, 2026 Pechacek Funeral Homes · Jun 19
• Grand opening set for new Chester Bridge KFVS12 · May 13
• Illinois, Missouri celebrate completion of Chester’s Don Welge Memorial Bridge - illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com · Jul 14

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Chester Unique

• One of 19 places in the US named Chester — but the Illinois one has a character all its own.
• Positioned in southwestern Illinois, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
• Part of the fabric of Illinois — one of 1,461 recognized communities statewide.

Why People Love It Here

• Big enough for services and schools, small enough to feel like home.
• Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 6,759.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 8 miles.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Chester

• Reids Harvest House

Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Chester

• Cohen Fields reviews ★
• Cole Memorial Park reviews ★
• Elzie Seger Memorial Park reviews ★
• Gazebo Park reviews ★
• Officer James I. Brockmeyer Memorial Park reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

🏫 Schools in Chester

• Chester Elem School
• Chester High School
• Okaw Regional Voc System

Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.

🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare

• Memorial Hospital · 24/7 ER · Critical Access Hospitals

Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Chester

🏘️ Nearby Communities