Despite its location at the crossroads of U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 45 near Will County’s border with Cook County, at one point in time, Frankfort was a town off the beaten path. The population didn’t exceed 1,000 until the 1960s or 10,000 until the 2000s. But the secret is out now. More than 20,000 residents call the self-styled “Jewel of the South Suburbs” home, and Frankfort is continuing to grow. “Our population doubles every 20 years,” says Frankfort mayor Keith Ogle.
Even with the rapid expansion, many subdivisions are right across the street from farm fields, providing a still-pastoral setting some 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
Frankfort is a picturesque village in Will County, just 28 miles south of Chicago.
A couple of actors entertain the kids at the Fire & Ice Winter Social in Frankfort, IL.
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A bustling downtown with a vibrant dining scene
Frankfort’s preserved historic downtown harkens to its first 100 years as a small railroad and farming community. Even buildings constructed in the past two decades don’t feel out of place architecturally, enhancing a sense of walkability. “We’ve been described as straight out of a Hallmark movie,” Ogle says.
More than 50 businesses operate downtown, ranging from boutiques and beauty salons to restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Local favorites include Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Company, Francesca's Fortunato, Cultivate Community Table and the cash-only Old Plank Trail Tavern.
More shopping and dining options are available along U.S. 45, which is also known as LaGrange Road through town.
Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar offers Mexican eats and cocktails served in an upbeat, festive setting with whimsical décor and outdoor seating.
Cultivate Community Table is an award-winning chef-owned restaurant featuring farm-to-table ingredients and top-shelf craft beer and cocktails.
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Family-friendly festivals are a major draw
“Our community hosts many free, family-friendly events,” Ogle says.
The Frankfort Fall Festival, first held in 1968, is the perfect symbol of the town’s growth. What was once Frankfort’s Labor Day Weekend celebration has evolved into a regional event drawing more than 250,000 visitors and 300 artisans selling handmade artwork and crafts.
The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival may sound more suited to the Kentucky capital city of the same name, but it’s held here every July – and was recognized as the International Bluegrass Music Association Event of the Year in 2019.
The village’s Breidert Green hosts other events throughout the year, with Fridays on the Green, Movies on the Green and Concerts on the Green among the highlights.
“There’s no reason to leave Frankfort,” Ogle says. “There’s always something going on.”
Many of the Lakeview Estates residents atttend the Frankfort Fall Festival.
There was live music at the 12th Annual Frankfort Bluegrass Festival in North Frankfort.
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Lincoln-Way East one of Will County's top high schools
Frankfort Community School District No. 157-C, earns an A from Niche. Students in the largely unincorporated northeastern part of Frankfort attend B-plus-rated Summit Hill School District No. 161. Both districts feed into A-rated Lincoln-Way East High, which ranks as the No. 2 public high school in Will County. Lincoln-Way East is an athletic powerhouse, including six appearances in the state football championship game and five state titles in girls’ track and field.
South Frankfort's Hickory Creek Middle School is highly rated at 4th best public middle school in Will County.
Entrance of Lincoln-Way East High School with School Spirit Banner
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Will County's most expensive housing market
With a median home price of $525,000—more than $100,000 higher than the national median—Frankfort is the most expensive community in Will County for homebuyers. There are some split-level and ranch-style homes from the 1970s and ‘80s that start around $250,000. Large custom homes in the Butternut Creek Woods, Cardinal Lake and Stonebridge Valley subdivisions can range from $500,000 to more than $2 million.
Homes in Frankfort average between 2,400 to 3,500 square feet.
Frankfort features many new modern farmhouse developments.
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Prairie Park brings nature to downtown
Prairie Park is a 13-acre nature preserve adjacent to downtown that includes tallgrass prairie, a walking path and a fishing pond. The Frankfort Park District manages 19 parks and the Founders Community Center, which provides indoor recreational opportunities during the winter.
The Old Plank Road Trail, which stretches 22 miles from New Lenox to Park Forest, winds its way through Frankfort along the path of the old Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad that served as the town’s economic lifeline in the 19th century.
The members-only Prestwick Country Club, Frankfort's only golf course, is an 18-hole course set in a residential neighborhood.
Take your kids to Jackson Creek Park in Frankfort IL and enjoy all the nice amenities.
Kids can enjoy a nice playground at Roy and Dorothy Janssen Park.
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Proximity to I-80 aids commute to Chicago
Proximity to Interstate 80 helped drive Frankfort’s growth. It’s 4 miles to I-80, expediting the 30-mile drive to Chicago. Though I-80 also heads 15 miles west to Joliet, most residents will take U.S. 30 to the Will County seat.
There is no public transportation in Frankfort. However, two Metra commuter rail stations in neighboring Mokena offer service to Chicago.
Chicago Midway International Airport is just over 25 miles north of Frankfort.
Crime rates well below national averages
Frankfort’s 2022 violent and property crime rates were about four times lower than the national average. The Frankfort Police Department offers a vacation watch program for residents who are traveling out of town.
Like the rest of Illinois, Frankfort has some tornado risk. An EF-2 tornado cut through the southeastern part of town in July 2024.
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