Carrollton offers quiet living in Greene County
About 12 miles east of the Illinois River, Carrollton is a city of 2,500. The seat of Greene County, Carrollton is one of the many semirural communities surrounding the Saint Louis Metro Area. "There are so many small towns here, they almost add up to being one place," says Kimberly Hunt, a 360 Prime Realty Group broker who's served the area since 2019. "Everyone knows each other from one county to another – you have a hard time remembering exactly where you are." Hunt says a significant portion of the population is families that have lived there for generations and have no intention of leaving. This neighborliness and low crime score make Carrollton popular with anyone looking for a quiet, rustic lifestyle. The city has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Cape Cods and bungalows dominate the housing stock
Laid out in precise, sidewalk-bordered grids, the area's lots are flat and grassy with clusters of mature trees. Most homes are turn-of-the-20th-century and midcentury, with traditional styles like Cape Cods and bungalows dominating. Depending on size and condition, prices range from $20,000 to $250,000. The median price of single-family homes in Carrollton is about $120,000, compared to the Greene County median of around $110,000. South of the town center, homes are about the same age and style, but lots tend to be larger, often reaching a quarter acre or more.
Public schools offer solid academics and sports pride
Students in the area will likely attend Carrollton Grade School for kindergarten through eighth grade. From there, they can enroll at Carrollton High School, which saw its softball team take the state championship in 2024. Niche gives the grade school a B and the high school a B-minus.
Fry Park upgrades include pickleball and new paths
In addition to housing Carrollton's Municipal Park Pool, Fry Park had upgrades in 2025, installing new walking paths, playground equipment and pickleball courts. Athletes of every skill level regularly visit Rainey Park for its baseball field, soccer field, tennis courts and sand volleyball court. The Lone Oak Golf Course is a 9-hole public course with scenic views of the surrounding forests.
Local shops and comfort food near Main and Fifth
Most shopping is centered around the intersection of Main and Fifth streets, with locally owned beauty salons, auto shops and general stores. Established in 1982, the Brass Door offers family-style seating and endless bowls of comfort food. "You don't order – you sit down and they just bring you food," says Hunt. "They make sure you don't leave hungry." In addition to a selection of specialty pies, Alfonso's Pizza also serves quesadillas, sandwiches and pasta. A Dollar General and Market on Main can cover some grocery needs. Locals can head 30 miles south toward Alton for big-box shopping and grocery stores.
Tractor pulls and live music highlight the annual fair
The Greene County Agricultural Fair is held every summer in Carrollton. The five-day celebration includes livestock exhibits, art displays, tractor pulls, live music and a demolition derby.
Route 67 connects Carrollton to major cities
The area's main highways are state Route 108 and U.S. Route 67, the latter of which offers a straightforward commute to St. Louis and Springfield , each about 70 miles away. Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital has emergency services and a rehabilitation department in town.
