Carbondale, Illinois, is a vibrant college town in Southern Illinois, serving as the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), whose Saluki mascot and active student population infuse the city with youthful energy, cultural events, and diverse international influences. Founded in 1853 as a railroad crossroads and named for nearby coal deposits, the city of around 22,000–25,000 residents sits about 96 miles southeast of St. Louis, at the northern edge of the scenic Shawnee National Forest, offering easy access to outdoor adventures like hiking, rock climbing, and wine tasting along the nearby Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Despite its small-town charm—with unique shops, international cuisine, live music, theater, and a strong sense of community—Carbondale functions as a regional hub for education, healthcare, retail, and tourism, blending the intellectual buzz of a university setting with the natural beauty of rolling hills, lakes, and forests that make it a gateway to Southern Illinois' outdoor paradise.

Carbondale currently has 104 single family homes for sale with an average list price of $194,727.89, 1 townhouse for sale with a list price of $72,000, 1 condo for sale with a list price of $189,900, and 53 lots for sale with an average list price of $213,391.76. The average annual property tax for Carbondale is $3,808.63.