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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Stop at Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park for views of the iconic Gateway Arch in the Metro-East.
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.
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