You may remember from history class that Jerseyville was used as a stopping point in the Underground Railroad during the time of slavery. Some of the residential houses had false cellars and basements that were used to free the slaves before and during the Civil War. In fact, some of those houses are still standing and considered historical landmarks.
Today, Jerseyville is the largest city in Jersey County. It has 5.08 square miles of land area with a population of more than 8,500. The climate here is typical of the Midwest cities: hot and humid summers with an average temperature at 88 degrees, and lows around 17 degrees in the winter. Don't let the extremes fool you; Jerseyville is a fantastic place to live.
Moving to Jerseyville
This town is considered an extremely livable area due to its low cost of living, quality amenities, and stable housing market. Of course, the sunny weather around here doesn't hurt Jerseyville's case. This city has a cost of living index of 82% (18% less than the national average), It has an average median month to month rent and home value, and even the price of gas is lower by 1.1%. Still, hunting for apartments for rent may present some difficulty based on the lower vacancy rates for rental houses in Jerseyville. You will find an average of 4-6 rooms per home here. You know what that means, you'll finally have a room to make into a walk-in closet!
Neighborhoods
Navigating the city is simple: US Route 67 is the major street that crosses the center of the city and where you'll find most of the retail areas and restaurants.
North Jerseyville: To the north, you'll find the Jersey County Historical Society and the grounds for the county fair, as well as the Fulkerson Mansion and Farm Museum.
East Jerseyville: Eastward, you can see the City Park and Jerseyville Recreation Department, in addition to several residential areas and restaurants.
South Jerseyville: You'll find more residential living and lots of rental apartments farther south, along with good grocery stores and restaurants for added convenience. If you're looking for entertainment, the Tri County Bowl can be found at the southeastern area.
West Jerseyville: Due west, you'll spot plenty of additional residential land, including the Westlake Golf Course area.
Living in Jerseyville
Looking for something to do around Jerseyville? The city used to host the Jersey County Victorian Festival, famous for its Civil War reenactment, but it was unfortunately discontinued in 2013. Even without the festival, this city is still rich in history with abundant museums and landmarks. For something a little more modern, check out the annual Jersey County Fair held every summer for sports activities, pageants and rides that the whole family can enjoy; the fair is so good that people from around Illinois and nearby states come to visit.
Jerseyville has come a long way since the Civil War Era; if you take the time to explore around here, you'll discover much more activity beyond the main landmarks, as well as affordable living in a tight-knit community. Come take a look -- no history book required.