It is located three nautical miles (6 km) northwest of the central business district of Carbondale and east of Murphysboro.

Southern Illinois Airport covers an area of 1,200 acres (490 ha) at an elevation of 411 feet (125 m) above mean sea level.

For the 12-month period ending February 29, 2024, the airport had 117,697 aircraft operations, an average of 322 per day: 72% general aviation, 28% air taxi, less than 1% military and less than 1% commercial.

Flight training and aircraft maintenance and modifications are offered, as are pilot supplies, a courtesy car, and a restaurant.

Based upon a study commissioned by the Illinois Aeronautics Division[citation needed], the airport contributes more than $13.8 million in direct and indirect benefits to the region on an annual basis.