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Coles, Illinois
Coles, Illinois is located in Illinois
Coles, Illinois
Coles, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Coles, Illinois is located in the United States
Coles, Illinois
Coles, Illinois
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Illinois
County Coles
Elevation
659 ft (201 m)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 217
GNIS feature ID 406356

Coles is a small place in Coles County, Illinois, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and buildings that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county.

What is Coles?

Coles is located about 6 miles (about 9.7 kilometers) northwest of a larger town called Mattoon. It's a quiet area where people live, but it doesn't have a mayor or its own police department like a city would. The county government handles services for Coles.

Unincorporated Communities Explained

An unincorporated community is a place where people live close together, but it doesn't have its own separate government. Think of it like a neighborhood that's part of a bigger area.

How They Work

  • No Local Government: These communities don't have their own mayor, city council, or local laws.
  • County Services: Instead, the county government provides services like roads, police, and fire protection.
  • Common in Rural Areas: You often find unincorporated communities in rural or less populated parts of a county.

Why Some Places Are Unincorporated

Sometimes, a group of homes might be too small to form its own city. Other times, people might prefer to get their services from the county. This can sometimes mean lower taxes or simpler rules.

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