Okawville is a close-knit, rural community located right off Interstate 64. With quick access to surrounding towns, Scott Air Force Base, Mt. Vernon and St. Louis, you’ll find Okawville to be an inviting and peaceful place to live and grow in. Citizens have a strong sense of pride and fellowship in their historically charming town. This is a place you’ll always find a friend, children still run and play freely, neighbors know your name and businesses are an integral part of the community. Visit, live and thrive in Okawville, Illinois.
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Community
The community is what holds a town together. It’s about knowing your neighbors and supporting them too. A strong community makes a town stable and whole. If you are looking for a place where you are more than just a number, join the thriving community in Okawville.
There are many occasions every year that pulls Okawville together. It could be celebrating the local paper’s 125th anniversary, cheering the annual parade down main street, or stocking the pantries of others. Below are just a couple of examples of the spirit you’ll see from Okawville residents.
Honoring a Fallen Hero
Flags flew and a large group of people paid their respects to a fallen soldier from Pinckneyville. The group gathered on the overpass on Interstate 64 as the procession carrying the body of Sgt. Holli Bolinski, who was killed in a vehicular accident while serving in Kuwait, passed by Okawville on the way back to her final resting place in Pinckneyville. Sgt. Bolinski was also honored by the Addieville Fire Department at another I-64 overpass, and in Nashville along Route 127.
Young Cancer Patient Gets Student Send-Off For Last Chemo Treatment
Okawville first grader Kolby Bowers got the send off of a champion Friday morning when he went to his last chemotherapy treatment at Children’s Hospital. Students in K-12 and teachers lined the street in front of school, holding up signs, wearing “Kolby Strong” shirts and chanting “Kolby! Kolby!” Police Chief Steve Millikin escorted the car driven by Kolby’s mother, Nicki Cooper. Painted on the rear window was “Last Chemo Treatment.”
“If we have a student send-off for our sports teams to state, why not do it for our student’s last chemo treatment,” said teacher Sara Collins, who organized it.
Kolby was given a box filled with letters and home-made cards written by students and staff to read at his last treatment. His siblings, Kaleb, 16, and Kiley, 11, accompanied him on the big day.
Kolby, 6, the son of Nicki Cooper of Okawville and Kelly Bowers of O’Fallon, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor in June 2016.
Treatment caused him to feel sick and weak. He missed days of school for treatment when he didn’t feel well. His hair fell out after chemo, would grow back in, and then would fall out again at the next chemo.
With the last treatment behind him, Kolby and his mother are looking forward to this school year. “We are ready for things to be normal,” she said. “This is the end of the journey. I thank everyone for the support and love of our family.”
Several fund-raisers were held for the family to help with expenses related to his many trips for medical care. It also helped bridge the salary gap when Cooper took time off from her job with Dearborn National Dental Insurance for Kolby’s treatments and when he stayed at home from school because he did not feel well.
Location
Okawville is a central location to many towns big and small. Located conveniently off a major interstate and several major highways it is easy to get to and from town.
Residents find they have many choices of where to work and find entertainment at that are convenient locaions. Major hubs that locals drive to on a daily basis include Scott Air Force Base, Shiloh, Centralia, Belleville, Swansea, Fairview Heights, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Mount Vernon, Cahokia, Granite City, and even St. Louis which is an easy, straightforward drive down the interstate.
While in a bigger city you may be stuck in traffic and at red lights, you’ll be able to zip quickly down the road from Okawville. Many residents find that their average commute is not much different than a person who lives and works within a larger city. It will take the same amount of time for someone who lives in Belleville to commute to the other side of town for work (30 minutes) as it does for an Okawville resident to drive into work at Belleville straight there from the highway (30 minutes).
Another great benefit of Okawville’s location is it’s central to many of the areas small towns. This creates a great network for athletics, fundraising, shopping local and extra small town charm like festivals, picnics and dances. Addieville, Albers, Breese, Carlyle, Nashville, New Baden, Hoyleton, Mascoutah, St. Libory and Trenton are just a few of the areas quickly accessible rural towns.
Livability
Safety
The crime index for Okawville is a 91, compared to the US average of 233. This is a very safe place to live. Parents still let their kids play freely here without worry. Neighbors look out for each other and residents can live their lives with one less worry.
Economics
The town’s median household income is above the state average at $63,883. This is a good indication the community’s residents are doing well, and the number of low income students are below the state average by 17%.
Median house/condo value is $124K and median rental is $749, making Okawville a great value in which to buy or rent a home.
The average distance traveled to work is 26.8 miles, which is inline with the nation’s average. Meaning there are plenty of area jobs close by. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, compared to 5.1% for the state. A higher employment rate is better for the local economy.
There are two local, independent banks with assets over 50M. This provides the community with the ability to grow and develop locally.
Businesses
Okawville has a vibrant small town ecosystem where you can get your car worked on, buy groceries, bank and much more. You can travel quickly to surrounding towns, but you don’t have to which can be a great feeling that not all rural towns enjoy.
Education
Okawville continues to invest in the town’s future by ensuring a good education system for its youngest residents. As the town continues to grow, so does its schools. Okawville believes it is vital to keep the schools progressing to establish a bright tomorrow.
There are also 4 colleges located within 35 miles of Okawville, McKendree University, Southwestern Illinois College, Kaskaskia College and University of Illinois Extension Campus, giving the ability to gain higher education close by as well as participate in university activities.