A southwestern Illinois suburb whose appeal can vary
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Belleville, Illinois, has the potential to entice a wide range of people. This St. Louis suburb, whose name comes from the French word for “beautiful city,” harbors homes in a mix of environments and at a wide range of prices. Nearby Scott Air Force Base is a significant employer in the area, but commuting across the Mississippi River to St. Louis is common, too. The local school districts are well-rated. And people can enjoy attractions including a blossoming downtown and a 60,000-square-foot sports complex in their free time. “I think there’s a lot of things that can draw people to Belleville depending on where they work and what their extracurricular activities are,” says Realtor Christi Johnson of Keller Williams Pinnacle, who has several years of experience.
Explore Belleville Mural is a Symbol of Community and Creativity on Main Street Belleville.
Belleville, IL has an enduring sister city relationship with Paderborn, Germany.
Belleville is home to many historic buildings, unique shops, and delicious restaurants.
Explore all that Belleville IL has to offer.
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Wide-range of architectural styles for less than the national average
A city of about 42,000, Belleville offers everything from accessibly priced fixer-uppers to affluent subdivisions. Buyers can choose from areas with more of an urban feel, with homes built close together on sidewalk-lined blocks, or neighborhoods whose spacious lots and winding streets scream suburbia. There are colonial and Craftsman houses built in the 19th century at the center of town, priced anywhere from $20,000 to $300,000 based on the condition. An abundance of ranch, colonial and new traditional homes constructed over the 20th century fill much of the rest of town, with price tags from $10,000 to $550,000, determined by square footage and condition. There are even some recently built options on the city’s outskirts, priced from $190,000 to $425,000. “It’s just like any community — your interests, your employment, your budget, all of that will determine where you live,” Johnson says. The average home price is $192,893, which is about 65% less than the national average and 36% less than the average across the river in St. Louis.
1930 I-house located in Belleville, IL.
A large, newer home located in Belleville, IL.
Streets are lined with Victorian and Queen Anne homes in Belleville, IL.
New subdivision layouts are located in Belleville, IL.
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Scott Air Force Base is a leading employer
The area’s largest employer is the Scott Air Force Base. The base employs around 15,000 and houses the Air Force’s Air Mobility Wing, is just about 10 miles from Belleville and has a huge impact on the city, Johnson says. The 222-bed Memorial Hospital is another key employer in town, and its services include a dedicated Orthopedic and Neurosciences Center. There’s also a Boeing production facility on the way at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport adjacent to Scott Air Force Base, which will be responsible for 300 jobs, will produce the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray fueling plane and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024.
Scott Air Force Base is a vital military installation and a strategic hub for the US armed forces.
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport near Belleville is your gateway to the skies.
Your health journey starts at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.
St. Clair Transit Plaza serves as the main hub for the Metro transit system in Belleville.
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Two public school districts in Belleville
Belleville School District 118 has a B rating on Niche and includes a preschool, eight elementary schools and two junior highs. The area’s A-minus-rated Belleville Township High School District 201 oversees the Belleville East and Belleville West high schools and The CAVE, where there are vocational programs in disciplines from advanced aviation to welding.
The A-plus-rated Governor French Academy is a private campus in the city for kindergarten through 12th grade and that tops Niche’s list of the best private high schools across St. Clair County, which Belleville is the seat of.
There’s also a Southwestern Illinois College campus in Belleville, offering associate degree programs in applied science, arts, engineering science, fine arts, general studies and science.
Belleville East High School is home to the Lancers football team in Belleville IL.
The Cave vocational high school is a great place of learning in Belleville IL.
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Main Street is a lengthy hub
Many of Belleville’s commercial attractions are downtown, along or near Main Street. “That’s turning into a fun area,” Johnson says. This stretch is considered one of the largest Main Streets in the country at just over 9 miles. However, many businesses are concentrated between Fourth and Oak streets. “It’s all local business down there,” Johnson says. “Local restaurants, local bars, local gift shops, local jewelers. It’s really neat.”
In addition to shopping or grabbing a bite to eat, locals can see a movie, a play or a concert at Main Street’s Lincoln Theatre or explore the titles at the Belleville Public Library one block over on Washington Street. Many of the area’s big-box stores and chain restaurants are organized off Carlyle Avenue.
The Lincoln Theatre is a historic landmark and cultural icon in Belleville, IL.
Bennie's Pizza Pub is a beloved establishment located at 113 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62220.
Belleville Public Square is located in the heart of downtown and features a Christmas tree.
Just chillin' outside of a coffee shop in Belleville.
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From North End to Bicentennial, parks are easy to find
The Belleville area has several parks — almost half of the town’s residents are within a 10-minute walk of one. Spots include North End Park, which features a playground, a trail and multiple fields. Belleville Skate Park has a challenging bowl feature and street-style obstacles. Bicentennial Park, in a western pocket of town, offers opportunities to fish with its multiple ponds and includes a disc golf course and a splash pad. Orchards Golf Club is an 18-hole public track known to be well-maintained.
Locals can also enjoy a nice day with a visit to one of Belleville’s community events, from a parade and 5K for St. Patrick’s Day to an Oktoberfest celebration that’s been celebrated for more than 40 years.
The city’s 60,000-square-foot Family Sportsplex is an indoor recreation option where local kids can participate in activities ranging from basketball leagues to martial arts. This facility can be particularly advantageous when the weather’s unsavory in a region that experiences warm summers and cold winters.
Bicentennial Park has both trails and a disc golf course.
Bicentennial Park boasts a number of beautiful sculptures and charming gazebos.
Bicentennial Park in Belleville, boasts a number of beautiful sculptures and ponds.
Bicentennial Park in Belleville, IL offers an 18-hole disc golf course.
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MetroLink provides another connection to St. Louis
Belleville has its own stop in the St. Louis region’s MetroLink light rail system. The train can take passengers to Downtown St. Louis in about 40 minutes. The MetroBus system runs through the city as well. Illinois Route 159 takes drivers north to Interstate 64 for trips to the city, a 20-mile ride. St. Louis Lambert International Airport, 30 miles away, is the closest commercial airport, accessible via I-64 and I-70. Lambert offers direct flights to more than 70 destinations. The public-use St. Louis Downtown Airport is closer to Belleville, 13 miles away, and facilitates private flights.
Crime
The city’s population-adjusted violent crime rate is lower than those seen across the state and nationwide, according to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. However, the city has seen increased numbers of crimes including simple and aggravated assault in 2024, according to Belleville Police Department data.
Written By
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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.
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