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Complete relocation guide

Moving to Granite City

Established Metro East City · housing, schools, commute, costs and everyday life

About this CityHub guide

A historic Metro East industrial city with an established street grid and direct ties to the Mississippi River economy.

The short version

Granite City had an estimated 26,807 residents in 2025. Census data for 2020–2024 reports a $104,300 median owner-occupied home value, $834 median gross rent, $59,205 median household income and a 22.1-minute mean commute.

What stands out

Granite City grew as a planned company town around graniteware and steel manufacturing, leaving a strong industrial identity and an older urban street grid. The city sits in Madison County on the Illinois side of the metro, with regional access toward downtown St. Louis and surrounding Metro East employment centers. Housing costs reflected in Census rent and owner-value data are notably lower than in the western-suburb communities in this batch.

The essentials

At a glance

Facts & local estimates
Population estimate
26,807 people
as of 2025-07-01Source
Median value of owner-occupied homes
$104,300
as of 2024-12-31Source
Median gross rent
$834/mo
as of 2024-12-31Source
Owner-occupied housing rate
72.6%
as of 2024-12-31Source
Mean commute time
22.1 min
as of 2024-12-31Source
Median household income
$59,205
as of 2024-12-31Source
Median monthly owner costs with mortgage
$1,177/mo
as of 2024-12-31Source
Land area
19.02 square miles
as of 2024-12-31Source
The local picture

A feel for Granite City

These local estimates and CityHub editorial ratings are for comparison and orientation. They are not verified statistics or current prices.

Local snapshot

Best for & local character

Households prioritizing lower housing costsMetro East commutersPeople drawn to established city neighborhoodsIndustrial heritageEstablishedMetro EastTraditional grid

Highlights

  • 2025 population estimate: 26,807
  • Median owner-occupied home value: $104,300
  • Median household income: $59,205
  • 22.1-minute mean commute

How it scores

CityHub estimates, not official scores. Some ratings are generated from community characteristics.

Walkability · modeled48
Transit · modeled38
School context · modeled58
Nightlife & dining · modeled48
Parks & outdoors · modeled58
Arts & culture · modeled46
Quiet & peaceful · modeled65
The decision brief

Is Granite City a good fit?

What stands out

Granite City can interest Metro East households comparing lower owner-value benchmarks with proximity to St. Louis jobs. Use current property condition and the exact bridge route to judge whether that trade works for you.

Things to check
Missouri trips depend on industrial corridors and bridges

Illinois 3, I-270 and bridge routes shape commutes, while industrial traffic can differ by block. Test the specific route and inspect the property's condition, taxes and insurance rather than comparing only citywide costs.

Does this fit your actual move?

Compare Granite City against your budget, commute, and priorities—or ask about a specific address.

Build my shortlist
Homes & housing

What does housing cost here?

Published Census estimates provide broad context where a reliable community-level figure is available. Check current homes or rentals for actual prices.

Median owner-occupied home value
$104,300

A broad benchmark for homes people own here—not a live asking price.

Data: 2024-12-31View source
Owner-occupied homes
72.6%

The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.

Data: 2024-12-31View source
Median gross rent
$834/mo

Useful renter context—not a substitute for current available rentals.

Data: 2024-12-31View source

Price is only part of the monthly payment

For a specific home, also account for the interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and condition. That’s why two homes with the same price tag can still cost very different amounts every month.

Plan the daily trip

Commute & getting around

Illinois 3, I-270, and bridge routes toward St. Louis shape regional travel. Industrial traffic and river crossings make the exact commute important.

Schools

Which schools serve this address?

The address—not the city name—determines the schools

Granite City CUSD 9’s current structure sends grades 9–12 to Granite City High School and grades 7–8 to Coolidge Junior High, with six elementary or intermediate campuses serving younger grades: Frohardt, Maryville, Mitchell, Wilson, Grigsby and Prather. The district’s recent grade-level reconfiguration makes the current official school configuration more useful than older third-party profiles. Confirm the assigned elementary campus and transportation through District 9.

1

Identify the district

Start with the property’s complete street address.

2

Check the boundary tool

Use the district’s official address or attendance lookup.

3

Confirm before deciding

Ask the district to verify the current assignment and enrollment details.

Illinois school district finder

Search by address to identify a district; the district must confirm the specific school assignment.

Official school and district resources

How people spend free time

Parks & recreation

Wilson Park and local recreation facilities provide central amenities, while regional Metro East parks expand options.

Errands, routines & convenience

Everyday life

Nameoki Road carries much of the shopping and service activity; downtown and industrial employment areas create separate daily patterns.

Direct answers for movers

Questions about moving to Granite City

What is it like to live in Granite City?+

Granite City grew as a planned company town around graniteware and steel manufacturing, leaving a strong industrial identity and an older urban street grid. The city sits in Madison County on the Illinois side of the metro, with regional access toward downtown St. Louis and surrounding Metro East employment centers. Housing costs reflected in Census rent and owner-value data are notably lower than in the western-suburb communities in this batch. Households prioritizing lower housing costs; Metro East commuters; People drawn to established city neighborhoods.

What should I know about housing costs in Granite City?+

The published median value of owner-occupied homes (data as of 2024-12-31) is $104,300 in Granite City. That describes existing homes in a survey period, not current listings or the homes available within your budget. Compare actual properties and their condition.

Source
What should movers know about schools in Granite City?+

Granite City CUSD 9’s current structure sends grades 9–12 to Granite City High School and grades 7–8 to Coolidge Junior High, with six elementary or intermediate campuses serving younger grades: Frohardt, Maryville, Mitchell, Wilson, Grigsby and Prather. The district’s recent grade-level reconfiguration makes the current official school configuration more useful than older third-party profiles. Confirm the assigned elementary campus and transportation through District 9. Confirm the current school assignment and enrollment rules directly with the district for the specific address.

Use the Illinois district finder
What is commuting from Granite City like?+

Illinois 3, I-270, and bridge routes toward St. Louis shape regional travel. Industrial traffic and river crossings make the exact commute important.

What costs should I consider before moving to Granite City?+

The published median gross rent (data as of 2024-12-31) is $834/month in Granite City. This is a survey measure, not a current rental quote. Check current offers, utilities, insurance and travel costs for the exact home.

Source
What should I verify before choosing a home in Granite City?+

Illinois 3, I-270 and bridge routes shape commutes, while industrial traffic can differ by block. Test the specific route and inspect the property's condition, taxes and insurance rather than comparing only citywide costs. Granite City Park District is one documented local destination; check the route and current access from the home you are considering. Confirm school assignment, property condition and recurring costs for the exact address.

Keep narrowing the decision

Put Granite City in context.

The community guide tells you about this place. These guides help answer whether this is the right kind of place for your move.

All “where to live” guides
Understand the geography

Map of Granite City

See where Granite City sits in the St. Louis region, then open named local places for directions and surrounding context.

Open full map

This map is for orientation. Confirm municipal, school, floodplain, and parcel boundaries with the appropriate official source.

Around town

Places to know

Parks, civic resources, recreation, and recognizable destinations that help explain everyday life in Granite City.

Parks & outdoors

1 place
park

Wilson Park

A major city park with recreation and athletic amenities.

2900 Benton St, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details

Family destinations

1 place
library

Six Mile Regional Library District — Downtown Library

The main public-library location serving Granite City and the surrounding district.

2001 Delmar Ave, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details

Arts & culture

1 place
history museum

Old Six Mile Museum

A local-history museum preserving the Six Mile and Granite City area's past.

3279 Maryville Rd, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details

Fitness & recreation

1 place
ice rink

Granite City Ice Rink

A public ice rink operated through the local park district.

3000 Fehling Rd, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details

Civic & everyday

2 places
parks administration

Granite City Park District

The district office for Granite City's parks, programs and recreation facilities.

2900 Benton St, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details
government

Granite City City Hall

Granite City's municipal offices and primary city-service contact point.

2000 Edison Ave, Granite City, IL 62040
Official details
Don’t choose in a vacuum

Compare nearby alternatives

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Sources, dates & how we got here3 sources · expand

CityHub separates sourced facts from editorial guidance. Official data may describe different time periods; each fact shows its represented date when available.