Known for producing athletes who dominate state football championship games and Olympic competitions, East St. Louis is planning a comeback. Located on the East side of the Mississippi River, East St. Louis has navigated through widespread unemployment and depopulation as a result of major industrial employers fleeing to other cities in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Beyond the headlines of decline are the lifelong residents who wouldn’t dream of leaving the “City of Champions.” A drive through East St. Louis will reveal some abandoned buildings, sporadic empty lots and an underdeveloped commercial sector. But homes here are budget-friendly and projects like Lansdowne Park and other initiatives offer a bright future for residents. “There are dynamic, loving and caring individuals in the city — We do have lifelong residents who are proud to be from East St. Louis,” says Latitia Williams, East St. Louis native and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors.
ina Turner moved to East St. Louis when she was a teenager and attended high school there.
The St. Louis Downtown skyline can be seen from East St. Louis, IL.
1/2
Craftsman bungalows and neighborhood development
The East St. Louis housing market is a prime example of the city’s new direction. Many homes were constructed in the early 1900s and often feature brick facades — maintaining their character through the occasional brick roadways. East St Louis is primarily industrial, with single-family housing spread throughout. While the majority of the homes are single-family, renters dominate the area. Homes usually sell for less than $100,000, however, community development nonprofit Lansdowne Up broke ground on a 20-home subdivision in 2022. When these homes are finished, they’re expected to cost upwards of $300,000. While this is not typical in East St. Louis, this is a favorable sign for the future of the surrounding market. East St. Louis features a variety of home styles ranging from single-story Ranch-styles and Craftsman bungalows to two-story American Foursquares. With a median sales price of $32,000, homes range from around $5,000 for a four-bedroom full-rehab to upwards of the low $100,000s for a brick facade Ranch-style. “Home values here have continued to increase since 2020 — East St. Louis is often overlooked, but it’s a gold mine when it comes to location, offering immediate access to major highways and quick commutes into downtown St. Louis,” says Star Harris with RE/MAX Results Realty. Streets are lined with paved sidewalks. Lots are small and homes typically feature small yards with enough room for shrubbery and ornate barriers for added seclusion from neighbors.
One of many delightful homes nested in the East St. Louis area.
A couple of the many charming homes located in the East St. Louis area.
1/2
Local healthcare and St. Louis commuting
East St. Louis residents rely on Missouri Avenue for easy access to U.S. Interstate 55 towards downtown St. Louis and neighboring areas like Cahokia Heights and Washington Park. When seeking public transportation options, residents can hop on the Metro St. Louis Bus or the Metro Light Rail at the JJK Center Station. Residents interested in traveling further outside the community can visit St. Louis Lambert International Airport 20 miles away. For healthcare, the Touchette Regional Hospital is only 3 miles from the neighborhood.
The Metrolink train help provide needed transportation to the East St. Louis area.
A commuter waiting for the Metrolink train at the Emerson Park station.
1/2
Education in East St. Louis
Students in East St. Louis can attend schools within School District No. 189, like Annette Officer Elementary, East St. Louis-Lincoln Middle and East St. Louis Senior High School, which have respectively received ratings of C-minus, D-plus and C-minus from the educational review site, Niche. Annette Officer Elementary serves kindergarten through Grade 4 and offers a variety of after-school activities and clubs from basketball and cheerleading to technology and chess club. East St. Louis-Lincoln Middle School serves Grades 5 through 8 and offers a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, which is better than that of the district. East St. Louis Senior High School offers a well-known athletic department that has claimed 10 state football championships, including its most recent title in 2022.
Annette Officer Elementary School is a respected educational institution located in St. Louis.
East St. Louis Senior High Scholl serves about 1,438 students grades 9 to 12.
1/2
Shopping along State Street
Residents in East St. Louis can shop along State Street for groceries and everyday essentials at stores, like Save A Lot, Gateway Market and Walgreens. While other department stores and retailers, like JWG Beauty, Rainbow Shops and Family Dollar are also nearby. When dining in the area, locals can visit Taystee Burger for classic American fare and a seared burger topped with fresh tomato and crisp lettuce. Or check out Maui Seafood for a relaxed dining environment and a wide variety of seafood combinations. For authentic Chinese cuisine, head to Young's Chop Suey for fried rice, noodles and combination plates. While there aren’t many sit-down options in East St. Louis, the eateries downtown across the Mississippi River are within a short 4-mile drive from the community.
Marko’s Fish has been in business for over 95 years serving great food to the community.
Residents can shop along State Street for stores, like Save A Lot.
1/2
Stop at Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park for views of the iconic Gateway Arch in the Metro-East.
Gateway Arch views at Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
When seeking time outdoors, residents can visit Jones Park for paved walking and bike trails with pond views and a large open green space. Or serve a few tennis matches at Lincoln Park, which features paved tennis courts and shaded picnic tables for dining on-the-go. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the semi-private Grand Marais Golf Club nearby, offering an 18-hole course available for daily rates and clubhouse amenities available to members only. For views of the iconic Gateway Arch, locals can head to Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, which features the Gateway Geyser fountain and riverfront views at the Mississippi River Overlook. NASCAR enthusiasts can head to World Wide Technology Raceway, which hosts a variety of stock car and drag racing throughout the year for over 57,000 fanatics to enjoy in the stands.
Olympian invests in Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center
Founded by three-time Olympic gold medalist and USA Track and Field Hall-of-Famer, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center is a notable cornerstone of the East St Louis community. The center promotes education and wellness through after-school and summer camp programs dedicated to advancing the skills of students in subjects ranging from math and reading to areas of interest like robotics. Local children can also participate in youth sports programs in basketball, football and volleyball.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center’s goal is to provide kids the opportunity to Win in Life.
A colorful mural found at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Latoya Lancaster,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Frank Holten State Park
Boating
Fishing
Golf
Malcolm W Martin Memorial Park
River
Parking Lot
Multi-Purpose Field
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Transit
Airport
St Louis Lambert International
29 min drive
Train
East Riverfront
Train
5Th And Missouri
Train
Emerson Park
Train
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Train
Washington Park
Train
Fairview Heights
Bus
15th Street & Martin Luther King Sb
Bus
40th Street & Waverly Sb
Bus
8th Street & Converse Sb
Bus
37th Street & Monk Sb
Bus
Bunkum & 42nd Street Wb
Bus
19th Street & Pigott Sb
Bus
Sauget Business & Sauget Industrial Pkwy Wb
Reviews
Niche Reviews
2.830 Reviews
2.0Current Resident
6/11/2020Niche Review
It's a dangerous place to some and a home to others. As a current resident I don't like estl that much so I just stay in the house all day.
1.0Former Resident
2/15/2020Niche Review
I grew up there and everyone's closed minded an it's hard to do anything.... price of living is cheap but it don't hide the fact that the crime rate an schools an jobs are terrible I went to East St. Louis sr high school an everything is bad landlords are lazy crime rate is terrible it's not a place to leave but a place to visit if u wanna see the hood
3.0Niche User
8/13/2015Niche Review
This area isn't too goo nor is it too bad.
3.0Current Resident
2/8/2019Niche Review
East St.Louis is just another poor neighborhood that has nothing for students who graduate high school. There's nothing here but gangs and poor people running the streets. I wish I could change a lot about this neighborhood. Everyone here knows everyone. It could be better if we stopped the killing and violence. Cleaning up the community and getting alone is a big part of helping this city flourish into something beautiful.
Are you familiar with the East Saint Louis neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Saint Louis
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Saint Louis, Sauget sell after 73 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Saint Louis, Sauget over the last 12 months is $58,869, up 32% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
ATTENTION OWNER OCCUPANTS ~ WELCOME HOME to 529 North 18th Street, East St. Louis Illinois. This beautifully crafted 1950's Bungalow awaits your arrival. The 12' high ceilings, large (Vinyl Insulated ) windows allows the natural light tho flow throughout the home. The architectural details create a beautiful focal point in the living and dining room, creating the ideal formal interior to truly
Great investment or owner occupied opportunity in this duplex. Main floor unit offers living room, 2 bedrooms, full bath, laundry area, and eat-in kitchen with backdoor access to back yard. Second/third floor unit offers living room, dining area, kitchen, full bath and 2 bedrooms on the second floor, with the third bedroom on the third floor. Full basement and a large lot with partial fencing and
MOVE IN READY HOME! This charming residence features two bedrooms on the main floor, complemented by a full bathroom. Enjoy an open living and dining room combo, perfect for entertaining. This unfinished basement offers plenty of space and includes a bonus room, providing ample potential for customization. The home offer an Automatic whole house Natural Gas Generator for backup electricity. Never
At The New Broadview, you can enjoy all the comforts of home at an affordable price! Discover everything this East Saint Louis, IL community has to offer by calling us today.Featuring an impressive selection of open layouts and on-site attractions, The New Broadview offers affordable living at its best.Offering easy access to public transportation stops and local highways, The New
At Parsons Place Apartments located in East St. Louis, you will love our selection of one and two bedroom garden apartment homes and two and three bedroom townhomes with washers and dryers, spacious walk-in closets, linen closets for extra storage, energy efficient appliances, and intrusion alarms in every apartment or townhouse. A controlled access community, Parsons Place Apartments also
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Latoya Lancaster,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
24,164
Median Age
41
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,470
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$46,239
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.1%
College Graduates
11.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.9%
% Population in Labor Force
48.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
11/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
