Cahokia Heights is a quiet suburb close to the heart of St. Louis
Founded in 2021, Cahokia Heights is one of the newest cities in the country, which is a little surprising given that local landmarks include a church and a fur trader’s mansion built at the turn of the 18th century. But Cahokia Heights wasn’t incorporated from scratch — it actually combined three cities: Alorton, Cahokia and Centreville. That move was made to stabilize the trio of communities, which have witnessed the outflow of hundreds of residents since 2010. “The community has shrunk a bit, but the core businesses are still there,” says managing broker Cathy Dey of Hermann London Real Estate Group. “It has some of the most affordable homes in the region, and you’re right across the river from downtown St. Louis.”
Midcentury homes at lower prices
Midcentury ranch-style homes and cottages, most of them built in the '40s, '50s and '60s, make up most of the local housing inventory. Most offer around 1,000 square feet of interior space. Home prices are among the lowest in Greater St. Louis, but a fair number of properties on the market are also in need of some renovation. Homes in the area can sell for anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000. “A lot of it is investors looking for rental properties,” says Dey, “but it’s also a place where people sometimes look for starter homes. It’s a pretty quiet community, which is rare for places so close to the city center.” The community has a CAP Index crime score of 5 out of 10, only slightly above the national average of 4 out of 10.
Retail along Camp Jackson Road
Camp Jackson Road on the south side of town is Cahokia Heights’ major retail corridor. The street is home to Aldi and Schnucks supermarkets and a variety of chain shops and restaurants. Camp Jackson is also where residents can find most of the region's dining options, including the highly rated Classic K Hamburgers and Sawmill BBQ Restaurant, both of which have been serving the area for generations. The north part of the city is home to Touchette Regional Hospital, the largest hospital in the East St. Louis area and a major local employer.
City parks, golf courses, and Frank Holten State Park
City parks like Cahokia Park and Centreville Park feature playing fields, basketball courts and playgrounds, and are popular spots in the summer. Cahokia Park connects to The Prairies Golf Club, an 18-hole course. The local YMCA and Cahokia Fitness & Sports Complex are located at the former campus of Parks College, which closed in 1996, and offer fitness programs for adults and youth sports for kids. Frank Holten State Park is located on the north side of the city and is a popular spot for fishing and golfing — it’s home to two well-stocked lakes and Grand Marais Golf Course, which is open to the public. The Jarrot Mansion State Historic Site offers well-maintained grounds and buildings whose history stretches back to Lewis and Clark.
Public schools in Cahokia
The city’s public schools are overseen by Cahokia Unit School District 187, which has a D grade on Niche. Elizabeth Morris Elementary has a C-minus, while Wirth/Parks Middle School and Cahokia High School both have D-plus grades.
Easy commuting to central St. Louis
Interstate 255 runs through the city and connects residents to other eastern St. Louis suburbs. On the west side of town, state Route 3 offers the easiest route to St. Louis proper and the western and northern suburbs. Metro Transit runs a number of bus routes throughout the city, most of which connect to East St. Louis or downtown. It’s only about 5 miles from the city to downtown St. Louis and around 20 miles to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. While St. Louis Downtown Airport in neighboring Sauget is close by, it doesn’t offer commercial flights.
Potential flooding in parts of the city
Flooding has been a concern in Cahokia Heights for years and has significantly contributed to its population decline. The issue has less to do with its proximity to the Mississippi and more to do with outdated sewage infrastructure. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice and the EPA put the city under a consent decree that mandates the city invest $30 million in infrastructure upgrades.
