Benton offers small-town living with lake access and historic charm
Benton is a small city in Southern Illinois with about 7,000 residents. The county seat of Franklin County, the community has transitioned from a former mining village to a farming town with a suburban feel. Benton abuts Rend Lake and is home to several golf courses, offering many opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city’s Main Street is concentrated with local stores and restaurants, providing residents with shopping and dining options. Additionally, many highways run through Benton, and Marion, the region’s main hub, is about 20 miles away from Benton. “Benton is a self-sufficient small town, and neighbors are always going to know each other,” says Alec Childers, a Southern Illinois native and broker at House 2 Home Realty. “Benton has done a pretty good job with preserving its history; there are local museums that showcase older train cars, jail rooms, and the local courthouse is also from the 1800s. A trivia is you’ll see a large George Harrison sign every time you enter Benton from the highway. The Beatles guitar player visited his sister here, who once lived in the community.”
A diverse housing mix in Benton
The city is characterized by green rolling hills, cascading waterways and large tracts of farmland. Houses close to the city center sit on gridded blocks and rustic narrow roads, with trees scattered across the landscape. The housing stock is a diverse mix of late Victorian-Era cottages, Minimal Traditional homes and ranch-styles. Single-family homes start around $40,000 and go towards $250,000, with fixer-uppers between $10,000 and $35,000. Properties farther out in the countryside are fewer and far between, and many are divided by open lawns or farmland. These larger ranch-styles and newer homes can top $350,000. Mobile homes go between $10,000 and $50,000, while manufactured houses are from $130,000 to about $260,000. Vacant lots up to 1 acre are also available, starting at $4,000 and reaching $90,000 depending on proximity to the lake.
Outdoor and water recreation by Rend Lake
Sitting adjacent to the city, the nearly 19,000-acre Rend Lake provides access to a variety of water sports and boating activities. The lake also has public campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches and hiking trails. Benton Community Park features several playgrounds, ball fields and courts for basketball and tennis, offering many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Reno Lake Golf Complex has a 27-hole championship course and is open to the public.
Public schools serving the community
Benton Community Consolidated School District No. 47 serves the city, and students may attend Benton Grade School K-8. The campus houses both K-4 and 5-8 grades, each of which has a B-minus and a C rating from Niche. The local high school, Benton Consolidated High School, belongs to the separate Benton Consolidated High School District No. 103. Benton High earns a B-minus, offering dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses as well as career pathway programs in business, veterinary science and video production. “The local schools take sports very seriously,” Childers says. “The community has a lot of enthusiasm for the sports teams, and many children get involved and participate in the sports programs.”
Shopping and dining options on Main Street
Local businesses and eateries line along Main Street and Route 14 corridor. The Cozy Table serves home-style diner food, and Peking Buffet is a popular Chinese restaurant at Public Square. Grocery options include Farm Fresh Benton and Save A Lot. In addition to several Dollar General stores, big-box retailers in Benton include Walmart and Rural King.
Distance to Marion and St. Louis
Several highways pass through the city, including Interstate 57 and Illinois Routes 14, 34 and 37. Marion is approximately 20 miles south via I-57, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport is 110 miles northwest of the community. South Central Transit provides public transportation throughout Franklin County, and Franklin Hospital is right in the city.
Events and fairs in Franklin County
In September, the city’s chamber of commerce hosts the annual Rend Lake Car Show at Benton Public Square, featuring a local vendor fair and drag racing. Sugar Creek Music Festival takes place at Camp Manitowa, and the Benton Festival of Lights is a holiday event organized by city hall, with lighting at Public Square, pictures with Santa, games for children and hot chocolate.
