Housing
The Jacksonville region boasts homes that participated on the Underground Railroad to new housing subdivisions growing throughout the farmland of Morgan and Scott counties. One thing they all have in common is their affordability with two-thirds of homes sold in 2003 priced less than $100,000.

Healthcare
"Friends Caring for Friends" is the motto of Jacksonville's Passavant Area Hospital in providing complete care for more than 125 years to the residents of five counties in West Central Illinois. As a Level II Trauma facility, Passavant Area Hospital has a heliport for transporting patients from rural areas to its emergency room or from Jacksonville to more specialized hospitals in other cities.

Culture
Once described as the "Athens of the West," the Jacksonville region cherishes its past. The area was called home by three Illinois governors and the setting for many of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas' court trials. A recent movement has begun to reclaim Jacksonville's history as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Social
Mother Nature sets the stage for the Jacksonville region's abundant outdoor recreation activities. Many pathways lead to greens and lakes, playgrounds and swimming pools, soccer fields and baseball diamonds. Lake Jacksonville, the Illinois River and a number of public parks treat the aquatic adventurer while downtown festivals and community celebrations attract a wide range of visitors.