The Collinsville Difference: A Great Quality of Life

Whether it is tax rates and user fees, recreational amenities or cultural attractions, Collinsville stands out above its neighbors. Here is why the quality of life is better in Collinsville.

Taxes and Fees
Collinsville has lower tax rates than most of its neighbors, thanks to its strong sales tax base and diverse economy. The city’s water and sewer rates are also among the lowest of its neighbors, even when adding in the new $20 million modernization and expansion of this system.

Cultural and Recreational Amenities
Collinsville is well-known as a center for cultural and recreational life in Southwestern Illinois. Its German and Italian heritage go back to the community’s start in the mid-1800s, and it lives on today with its popular ethnic celebrations and traditions.

Within its borders, Collinsville offers an extensive variety of quality of life amenities – from a World Cultural Site and an outstanding parks and trail system to music and entertainment venues -- unmatched in the region.

Cultural:

• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
• Historic Downtown 
• Collinsville Library District
• History Museum
• Italian Festival 
• Horseradish Festival
• Gateway Center shows
• Route 66
• Brooks Catsup Bottle

Recreational:

• Splash City
• Collinsville Fun Park
• Fairmount Park
• Collinsville Area Recreation District
• Schoolhouse Trail

Transportation Infrastructure
Collinsville is served as part of the St. Louis area regional public transportation network by Madison County Transit and Bi-State Development Agency. A new bus transfer station has just been completed in downtown Collinsville to serve the area’s growing ridership.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is developing plans for the long-term use of Route 159 in and around Collinsville to ensure that residents will continue to have convenient access to all areas of the community via this major thoroughfare in the future.

Fun Facts

• Horseradish Capital of the World
• World’s largest catsup bottle
• Main Street USA winner
• Population: 25,251 (2005)
• Median Age: 35
• Ethnicity: 20+different ethnic groups represented among its population
• Households: 10,829 (2005)