Gardner, Illinois

About Gardner

Gardner, IL is a small town located in eastern Illinois counting 1,366 people who proudly call it home.

Officially, Gardner is an incorporated village, one of the most intimate forms of local government in America. The community covers 2.91 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 469 residents per square mile.

📰 Gardner News Today

• Serval Cat Finally Caged: 'We Did It, Our Officers Were Assisted By The Owner And A Very Helpful Resident' Patch · Aug 17
• Mya Gardner is dribbling the ball. - Photo Galleries DePaul University Athletics · Aug 15
• James A. Nelson Obituary May 14, 2026 - Reeves - Baskerville reevesfuneralhomes.com · May 14
• Bernard Vigna Obituary (1935 - 2026) - Gardner, IL - Morris Herald-News Legacy obituary · Aug 5
• Constance "Connie" Rena Storm - View Obituary & Service Information R. W. Patterson Funeral Homes · May 30

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Gardner Unique

• One of 6 places in the US named Gardner — but the Illinois one has a character all its own.
• Positioned in eastern 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

• Small-town pace of life: less traffic, more community, and neighbors who wave.
• Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 4 miles.

🎡 Fun Things to Do

• Gardner Jail · Attraction
• Route 66 Diners · Attraction

Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏫 Schools in Gardner

• Gardner Elem School
• Gardner-South Wilmington Twp H S

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

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Gardner

🏘️ Nearby Communities