Williamson County, ILL. Sees Record-Breaking Visitor Numbers in 2024

https://www.kfvs12.com/2025/09/10/williamson-county-ill-sees-record-breaking-visitor-numbers-2024

September 9, 2025

Devin Kidd | KFVS12

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILL: 2024 was a record year for tourism, not just for Illinois, but Williamson County also saw a record-breaking boost.

According to Visit SI, visitors spent an estimated $225 million in Williamson County, all while supporting around 1,700 jobs in the tourism industry.

Libby Ervin is a co-owner of Glacier’s End, a specialty food shop in downtown Marion.

She has had a front-row seat to the revitalization of the downtown area.

“We moved into our shop here a little over four years ago, right when everything started changing around here,” she said. “City hall was getting ready to move. So we were on the ground floor of the revitalization.”

Ervin said the number of visitors to the downtown area and her shop has skyrocketed over the past year.

“We’ve seen foot traffic increasing every year—but especially last year. With the completion of the downtown, the square, and Seasoning Bistro.”

Rachel Stroud is the communications and marketing director for the city of Marion. She also works with Visit SI for multiple events every year.

Stroud said it is not just the city of Marion contributing to growth in Williamson County.

“Walker’s Bluff, and all the folks that come to visit there, the multiple sports tournaments held in the city of Marion, plus all the great restaurants, shops and places to stop and visit within Williamson County as a whole.”

As the seasons begin to change, leaders in Williamson County expect another influx of visitors thanks to the leaves changing and of course, Very Merry Marion, which has become a holiday destination of itself on the Tower Square Plaza.