Town file
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois (Adams County, Illinois) is the town in one episode of Small Town Murder, the comedy true-crime podcast: episode 595, "More Than A Family Feud" (8 May 2025). Rebecca Bernadette Postel, who went by Becky, was born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Bill and Bernadette and the sister of Sarah.
- Town
- Quincy
- County
- Adams County
- State
- Illinois
- Country
- USA
- Episodes
- 595
- Approximate location
- 39.934, -91.379
Episode 595 / 8 May 2025 / 178 min / full
More Than A Family Feud
"This is in Quincy, Illinois ... far western Illinois on the Mississippi ... This is in Adams County, area code 217" about 0:04:12
The case: Murder of Becky Bleefnick (February 23, 2023). Read the case file.
The figures, as told in 2025
- Population
- 39,687
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income
- $50,857 a year
- Median home value
- $144,300
- Two-bedroom rent
- $830
- Cost of living
- 77
- Religious
- 78%
- Property crime
- ▲ about 20% higher
- Violent crime
- ▲ slightly above average
History, in brief
- After 1800 the settlement was called the Bluffs. about 0:05:11
- In 1825 the town was renamed Quincy and became the seat of Adams County; both were named after newly elected President John Quincy Adams. about 0:05:17
- In April 1945 a tornado ripped through Quincy's business district, blowing the roof off the courthouse and damaging it beyond repair. about 0:06:05
- In 1976 three improvised explosive devices were detonated at the Colt Industries Inc. Quincy Compressor division plant during a visit by presidential candidate Bob Dole. about 0:06:28
- A fourth unexploded device found by Quincy firefighters detonated during examination, killing team supervisor Sergeant Major Kenneth Foster Sr. and seriously injuring the Illinois State Arson inspector. about 0:07:12
- The Mississippi River flood of 1993 hurt the town, and in June 2008 another flood submerged much of the riverfront and low-lying areas. about 0:07:28
- Quincy has twice been recognised as an All-America City and participates in the Tree USA program. about 0:07:45
- In the autumn of 2010 Forbes magazine listed Quincy eighth in its best small cities to raise a family category. about 0:07:53
The reviews read out
5 stars
"A couple who moved there in 2005 say it has been a great place to raise children, find work and receive top-notch medical care, with community for all."about 0:08:21
5 stars
"A lifelong resident says it is a very friendly place, nothing awful has happened and most people get along."about 0:08:40
3 stars
"A small town in the middle of nowhere with little to do beyond bowling, driving around or a movie, though there are bars and nightclubs; crime is rising in the good parts of town and rent is high compared with bigger cities."about 0:09:09
1 star
"As corrupt as it gets, the haves rule the have-nots, people are either nauseatingly conservative or disgustingly liberal, the mall is dying and the mayor is a midget."about 0:09:39
1 star
"The people are dishonest, crooked and deceitful, and the reviewer would never recommend setting foot near the place."about 0:10:30
1 star
"The place is unkind; the reviewer was collateral in a meth deal at age three, most people do not care for their homes or have jobs, and there are few attractions."about 0:10:57
Nearest Small Town Murder towns
- Canton, Missouri16 miles
- Keokuk, Iowa33 miles
- Bonaparte, Iowa57 miles
- New Florence, Missouri71 miles
- Libertyville, Iowa79 miles
- Agency, Iowa88 miles
Everything here is as told in the episode, on the date it went out; figures and places may have changed since. Endings are covered: open an episode and use the spoiler switch to read them.