Gilson is an unincorporated census-designated place in Knox County, Illinois, and is located southeast of Galesburg.

Gilson is located just east of Illinois Route 97 along Knox County Highway 12.

Gilson lies on a flat plain yielding to hills and valleys close to Haw Creek, west of the town.

The area is agricultural with corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, and hogs as the major commodities raised.

This Knox County, Illinois location article is a stub.