Olney, IL

Located in southeastern Illinois, Olney is a quiet, friendly community of around 8,500 residents that serves as the hub of Richland County. Founded as a 19th-century stagecoach stop between St. Louis and Vincennes, it has evolved into a welcoming town anchored by a traditional downtown and the county courthouse. Olney is especially famous for its population of rare white squirrels, which wander freely through local parks and front yards and are celebrated with an annual census every autumn.

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Daily life here is practical and self-contained, with local public schools, a regional hospital, a public library, and outdoor recreation at spots like Musgrove Park and East Fork Lake. Major routes like U.S. 50 and Illinois 130 offer straightforward drives to nearby hubs like Effingham and Vincennes for work, shopping, or weekend trips. With a comfortable pace, four distinct seasons, and affordable housing, Olney offers a peaceful small-town setting in the heart of Illinois farm country.