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Champaign, Illinois

Located in Champaign County, Illinois, Champaign was established in 1855. The Mosaic web browser, which popularized the World Wide Web, was created at UIUC. Champaign-Urbana is a twin-city community centered on the University of Illinois.
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Founded 1855 | Population 93,000 | Peak 93,000 (2024) | County Champaign County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Champaign, Illinois

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1855 Railroad Town: Illinois Central Railroad creates town.
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1867 U of I Founded: University of Illinois established.
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1942 Military Presence: Military installations became a major part of Champaign's identity and economy.
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1995 NCSA/Mosaic: First widely-used web browser created at UIUC.
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2010 Research Hub: Major research university drives economy.
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Latest News in Champaign

Feb 20, 2026
They’ve Won $288 Million From The Lottery But The State Won’t Pay Them
Winning the lottery has been the dream for many, and in Illinois, lottery winners are hitting the jackpot.
May 2, 2016
Heres what These New Purple Parking Spots Mean
In the bustling streets of American cities back in May 2016, a splash of purple began popping up in parking lots, catching the eye…
Jan 13, 2016
Illinois Legislature Would Force Welfare Recipients Take Drug Tests Meet
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In early 2016, Illinois lawmakers pushed forward a controversial bill that would have required welfare recip…
Jan 7, 2016
Man Defends Home Break Using Lethal Force Faces Consequences
Chicago, Illinois – On a chilly January evening in 2016, a homeowner took matters into his own hands when intruders targeted his…
Oct 24, 2015
Trump Poised Strong Performance March 15 Primaries
Washington, D.C., October 24, 2015 — As the 2016 Republican primary race heated up, Donald Trump looked set to make a big splash…
Apr 10, 2015
Politician Dies After Husband Sets Explosive During Sex Car
In a bizarre and tragic turn of events last week, a prominent politician met a sudden and violent end when her husband allegedly r…

Complete Historical Timeline

1855 Transport
Railroad Town
1867 Culture
U of I Founded
1942 Government
Military Presence
1995 Science
NCSA/Mosaic
2010 Business
Research Hub

Did You Know?

1
The Mosaic web browser, which popularized the World Wide Web, was created at UIUC.
2
Champaign-Urbana is a twin-city community centered on the University of Illinois.
3
UIUC's computer science department is consistently ranked among the best in the world.
4
Champaign is located in Champaign County, Illinois.
5
Champaign was founded in 1855.

Famous People from Champaign, Illinois

SP
Saul Perlmutter
Astronomer, Professor · Born Sep 22, 1959 · Age 66
JT
James Tobin
Military Personnel, Professor · Born Mar 5, 1918 · Died Mar 11, 2002 (age 84)
L
Ludacris
Actor, Businessperson · Born Sep 11, 1977 · Age 48
MK
Megyn Kelly
News Presenter, Journalist · Born Nov 18, 1970 · Age 55
DA
David Ayer
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jan 18, 1968 · Age 58

Other Cities in Illinois

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Chicago
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N
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J
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Pop. 152,579
R
Rockford
Pop. 146,881
E
Elgin
Pop. 115,100
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