Careers @ the City of Urbana

One of the greatest characteristics of Urbana is the outstanding quality of life and low cost of living. Because of its natural assets and college setting, Urbana offers residents a metropolitan feel with small-town charm. In recent years, Urbana has been cited by the National Home Builders Association as one of the top ten most affordable housing markets in the United States; the city was also recognized in 2007 by the American Planning Association when the West Urbana Neighborhood was distinguished as one of the Ten Great Neighborhoods in the country. Urbana is also renowned for its commitment to preserving the historic fabric of the community; the City was honored with the 2012 Preservation Award from the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions for "Significant Contributions to Historic Preservation in the State of Illinois".

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• Over the years, residents in the City of Urbana have established a number of neighborhood organizations to help preserve the residential character, integrity and safety of their neighborhoods.

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• As of August 2021, the City of Urbana has 18 properties designated as local historic landmarks and three local historic districts. Urbana also has 28 properties listed individually or as part of a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.

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• Renting? You're in good company! Over 10,000 rental units are within Urbana city limits, comprising almost two-thirds of our housing stock. According to the most recent U.S. Census estimates for 2017-2021, the median rent in Urbana was $845. To help ensure a safer rental housing stock, protect property values, and improve accountability of rental units, the City administers a rental registration and inspection program. For more information for both tenants and landlords, see the City's Rental Registration page.

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• Urbana is home to a number of diverse living areas, ranging from upscale residential subdivisions like Stone Creek and Beringer Commons to a New Urbanist concept at Savannah Green and the nationally-cited West Urbana Neighborhood--and just about everything in between.

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• Heading out of town for a while? The Urbana Police Department offers Vacation Watch, a service to the community that provides for officers to periodically check your residence when you are out of the area.

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• Urbana takes pride in being a leader of environmental sustainability and responsibility. Two of the most popular programs are U-CYCLE and the Landscape Recycling Center. U-CYCLE, the city's residential curbside recycling program, began in 1986 and was one of the first citywide recycling programs offered in Illinois. The Landscape Recycling Center is a not-for-profit facility that recycles local yard waste such as grass clippings, brush and plant cuttings into lawn and garden composts, topsoil and mulches.