Tilton is a village situated within Danville Township in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It lies at coordinates 40.0892 north latitude and 87.6314 west longitude. The community serves as an integral part of the Danville Metropolitan Statistical Area, functioning as a distinct municipal entity within the broader regional administrative framework of central Illinois.

The village derives its name from Lucian Tilton, a railroad worker and friend of Abraham Lincoln. Historical records indicate that Lincoln reputedly spent Thanksgiving dinner at Tilton's residence in the 1850s, establishing an early connection to national history. This origin story anchors the community's heritage, linking its local identity to significant figures in American political history during the mid-nineteenth century.

Geographically, the village encompasses a total area of 3.243 square miles, with land comprising 98.98 percent and water covering the remaining 1.02 percent. The built environment includes residential neighborhoods and public infrastructure managed by local governance. The physical layout supports a mix of urban and rural living, with the majority of residents occupying urban zones while a small fraction resides in rural settings within the village boundaries.

Cultural life is supported by local educational institutions, primarily Danville Community Consolidated School District 118 and Westville Community Unit School District 2. The area has produced notable figures such as journalist Joseph Kirkland and baseball players Bert Graham and Russ Meers. These historical contributions add to the village's cultural profile, reflecting a legacy of literary and athletic engagement within the community.

As of the 2020 census, Tilton had a population of 2,660 residents. The median age stands at 49.1 years, with a diverse household structure including married couples and single-person homes. Transportation is facilitated by Danville Mass Transit on Routes 9 and 13, connecting the village to downtown Danville. The economy reflects local housing markets with specific vacancy rates and income levels recorded in recent demographic surveys.