North of St. Louis is the neighborhood of Pontoon Beach, home to nearly 6,000 people and full of parks and hiking trails. “In recent years, people working in downtown St. Louis have been moving farther from the city as jobs went hybrid or remote. People want more space and the opportunity to own their own homes instead of renting in the city, and Pontoon Beach is a great place to find a starter home,” says Kimberly Hunt, a Realtor with Bev George & Associates, which has operated in Madison County for over 31 years. Hunt also says, “There’s a small-town feel to the suburbs around St. Louis. Everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other.”
Locals can play a round of golf at The Legacy Golf Course in the Pontoon Beach neighborhood.
Uncle Linny’s has a hot food bar, arcade gaming area, and outdoor seating.
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Affordable homes found in Pontoon Beach
Houses in this neighborhood are mostly single-story ranchers or split-levels and feature grassy lawns and paved sidewalks. Most houses offer a one or two-car attached garage, two to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. Single-family houses are priced between $125,000 and $350,000, with houses in the lower price range built in the mid-1900s and houses in the upper price range built in the past decade. “Houses in Pontoon Beach are much more affordable than houses in downtown St. Louis, so this area is a common choice for people looking to buy a house without leaving the metropolitan area,” says Hunt.
Pontoon Beach has a know-your-neighbor vibe and a strong community spirit.
Single-family houses are priced between $125,000 and $350,000 in Pontoon Beach.
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Several restaurants in Pontoon Beach
Pontoon Beach has several local restaurants to enjoy, including Tres Caminos Pontoon Beach, a Mexican restaurant serving fresh-to-order tacos, fajitas and margaritas. There’s also Uncle Linny’s Food and Brews, serving classic American bar fare like burgers, wings and pretzels with beer cheese. Uncle Linny’s also has an arcade gaming area and outdoor seating. While Pontoon Beach doesn’t have many large groceries within its borders, there is a Schnucks, a Farm Fresh and an ALDI in the nearby Maryland Place neighborhood.
Tres Caminos serves fresh-to-order tacos, fajitas and margaritas.
Rosati's offers a great atmosphere for watching the game in Pontoon Beach.
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Pontoon Beach students attend Granite City schools
Students in Pontoon Beach can attend public schools in the Granite City Community Unit School District Number 9. A student may attend Mitchell Elementary School, rated C-plus by Niche before heading to Coolidge Junior High, rated C. Students can receive their diploma from Granite City High School, rated C-plus. The Granite City School Band has received all-district honors in recent years and sent 31 students to the district competition in 2023.
Mitchell Elementary School is rated C-plus by Niche.
Coolidge Junior High is rated C by Niche.
Granite City High School has a C+ grade on Niche.
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Wilson Park is only one park near Pontoon Beach
Pontoon Beach offers plenty of opportunities to get outside. To the south, Horseshoe Lake State Park boasts nearly 3,000 acres of public land with picnic shelters, playgrounds, camping, bird-watching and outdoor sports facilities. “Horseshoe Lake is a well-known vacation destination for St. Louis residents,” says Hunt. “People flock there in the summer to go camping and boating.”
Closer to Pontoon Beach, Wilson Park has an 18-hole disc golf course, as well as a mile-long walking trail, tennis courts, baseball fields and a public pool. During cold weather, the Granite City Ice Rink opens for locals to enjoy ice skating and ice hockey. And it’s not just parks that Pontoon City has to offer. North of Pontoon Beach is Tri-City Speedway, a place to enjoy NASCAR races with friends and neighbors. Head to Lewis and Clark (Camp River Dubois) State Historic Site for an educational activity. This heritage trail site features a range of interactive exhibits, including a replica of Lewis and Clark’s keelboat.
The Madison County Transit Nature Trails span more than 138 miles of terrain.
Tri-City Speedway is a car racing track with food and beer concessions.
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Route 111 Highway is near Pontoon Beach
Pontoon Beach is close to Illinois Route 111 Highway, which merges with Route 55 and leads directly to downtown St. Louis, approximately 14 miles south. Getting to the St. Louis Downtown Airport is roughly 15 miles south from Pontoon Beach via Interstate 255. Residents can also take the Metro St. Louis bus into the city.
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Comfort meets the ultimate summer setup! Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom split-level home that's completely move-in ready. Step inside to fresh paint, new flooring, and an updated staircase banister that sets a modern tone throughout.Big-ticket upgrades offer complete peace of mind, including a brand-new roof (2025), a new driveway, and a lifetime-warranted
Build your dream Home in Emerald Meadows! Discover one of the last remaining lots in the sought-after Emerald Meadows Subdivision in Granite City. Perfectly situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac, this gem offers serene views of the wetlands and Horseshoe Lake, creating the ideal setting for your dream home. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets over Horseshoe Lake each evening and the tranquility of nature
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Welcome to this stunning new construction home perfectly positioned between Granite City and Collinsville, offering the ideal blend of convenience, modern design, and accessibility. Located just off IL-111 with quick access to I-55/70, I-255, and I-270, this home is a commuters dream with easy travel to downtown St. Louis and surrounding areas.This beautifully designed home features 3
Modern comfort meets functional design. Your Dream home awaits. This stunning new construction opportunity offers a spacious, open concept design w/thoughtful detail throughout.Gourmet kitchen: A center island w/seating for four, complemented by ample storage and walk in pantry. The dining room area boasts a recessed fireplace and swivel mount TV w/vaulted ceilings in the living room for an
Modern comfort meets functional design. Your Dream home awaits. This stunning new construction opportunity offers a spacious, open concept design w/thoughtful detail throughout.Gourmet kitchen: A center island w/seating for four, complemented by ample storage and walk in pantry. The dining room area boasts a recessed fireplace and swivel mount TV w/vaulted ceilings in the living room for an
Attention Investors, Elite Land and Auction is proud to bring to the market a prime corner lot located along a major thoroughfare leading to and from Illinois and Missouri. Sitting along Illinois Route 111, just south of Horseshoe Lake Road, is where you will find this lot, which is ideal for a Billboard or Investment opportunity. What makes this lot so special? Not only is there great
Fall in love with this beautiful TWO-STORY home, built in 2014! 5 BEDROOMS and 3 FULL Bathrooms! Located on the outskirts of town & on a cul-de-sac. Enjoy coffee time on the covered front porch. Kitchen has all appliances staying, beautiful maple cabinets & a pantry. Living room is bright and airy. Dining room is right off of kitchen. Main floor laundry & mud room plus a water softener. Bedroom
Comfort meets the ultimate summer setup! Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom split-level home that's completely move-in ready. Step inside to fresh paint, new flooring, and an updated staircase banister that sets a modern tone throughout.Big-ticket upgrades offer complete peace of mind, including a brand-new roof (2025), a new driveway, and a lifetime-warranted
Welcome to this spacious two-story built in 2025 and situated on a desirable lot with quick access to bike and walking trails. Ideally located near shopping, dining and just minutes away from interstates to allow for easy commuting. Inside you'll find a neutral color palette and a functional, light filled floor plan designed for modern living. Main floor boasts an open layout featuring a stylish
Welcome home to Metro Apartments at Granite City. We offer beautifully upgraded 1-and 2-bedroom apartments designed to elevate your everyday living. Nestled in a serene community, our homes feature the modern touches and unbeatable convenience you deserve.Apartment Highlights:Spacious, upgraded 1-and 2-bedroom floor plans.Beautiful hardwood-style flooring throughout your
Discover this freshly renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on Moorland Dr in the Greenway Village Addn subdivision of Chouteau. We are pet-friendly! Your dogs and cats are welcome at 26 Moorland Drive.Benefit from recent upgrades to this inviting home. Essential appliances are included: whole-home Air Conditioning, refrigerator, a gas stove/oven, . The kitchen boasts modern
Located along the second-biggest natural lake in Illinois, Horseshoe Lake offers a tranquil suburban lifestyle with proximity to U.S. Interstate-55 and abundant outdoor recreational activities. Locals here take advantage of its proximity to Horseshoe Lake State Park — of which the community is named after — and the lights of St. Louis just across the Mississippi River. “Buyers love the Horseshoe Lake area, it’s great for fisherman or hunters — It also offers the best walking or biking trails with great highway access and a 15-minute drive into St. Louis,” says long-time local Tami Dittamore, Real Estate Broker with The Dittamore Group. Horseshoe Lake paints a picture of traditional suburbia, but the unassuming greenery and rural aspects give this community a hearty foundation for future development and modern living. Anyone in search of a relaxed lakeside home near a major city will be in luck at Horseshoe Lake.
When seeking time outdoors, many residents are within walking distance or a short drive from Horseshoe Lake State Park, which features 2,900 acres of greenery, marshlands and 4 miles of hiking trails to explore. Fishing and boating are common here with several boat ramps available along Lake Drive. Visitors often stroll along the paved paths that navigate the lake with views of St. Louis and the iconic Gateway Arch on the horizon. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the public Arlington Greens Golf Course nearby, offering 18-holes and tee times available for reservation. The facility spans around 7,200 yards and offers golf lessons for players of all ages and expertise. Or check out World Wide Technology Raceway nearby, which offers 57,000 stadium seats for racing fanatics to cheer on their favorite NASCAR drivers in a variety of stock-car and drag racing events throughout the year.
Horseshoe Lake features a variety of home styles ranging from cozy bungalows and traditional Ranch-styles to split-levels and Colonial Revivals. Homes here are primarily single-family and homeownership is common. The community boasts a variety of subdivision options from those with lakefront views in Windsor Estates to those neighboring a golf course in Arlington. With a median sales price of $250,000, homes here range from around $40,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow fixer-upper to upwards of $400,000 for a four-bedroom traditional Ranch-style. While most homes here were constructed within the last 20 years, new construction is developing closer to I-55. “The new buildings feature some of the biggest price tags in the community, but it’s still attractive to homebuyers compared to the usual cost of new construction in the area,” says RE/MAX Alliance agent Carrie Brase, who recently listed three new homes by Horseshoe Lake. "All three houses went under contract immediately." Horseshoe Lake homes typically feature mid-sized lots with attached multi-car garages and backyard fencing for added seclusion from neighbors.
Every year, residents gather in downtown St. Louis to celebrate the Fourth of July. The event kicks off at 10:00 am with a parade along Market Street. Visitors can enjoy live performances from local dance groups, marching bands and sights of patriotic-themed floats. The festival wraps up that night with a large fireworks display. Locals often gravitate to the Gateway Arch for the best views of the light show.
Residents here can shop at Lakeside Plaza, which offers a variety of department stores and retailers, like Kohl’s, Dollar Tree and Katik Beauty Supply Store. Groceries and everyday essentials can be found at nearby stores, like Wal-Mart, Schnucks Collinsville and Aldi. When dining in the area, locals can visit Taste of Country for a variety of homestyle dessert options and holiday events hosted throughout the year. Or check out family-owned Uncle Linny's Restaurant for home-style cooking and classic American fare. For hefty portions at an affordable price, head to Spring Garden Family Restaurant which has been serving the community since 2001.
Students in Horseshoe Lake attend elementary and middle school in stages, each tier consisting of two year increments. Students will attend Prather, Maryville and Mitchell Elementary, which received grades of C-plus, A-minus and C-plus from Niche. For middle school, they head to Grigsby Intermediate and Coolidge Junior High, both C-rated. Before finally attending Granite High School, ranked C-plus. Every school since 2021 has received upgrades from the Granite City Community Unit School District, ranging from a new turf field at the high school to antimicrobial surfaces installed at the elementary schools. Private options like Good Shepherd Lutheran School and St. Elizabeth Elementary School are also available.
Horseshoe Lake residents rely on State Road 111 and Horseshoe Lake Road for easy access to I-55 and neighboring areas like Pontoon Beach and Collinsville. When seeking public transportation, residents can hop on the bus, monitored by the Madison County Public Transit along Collinsport Dr. Those interested in traveling further outside the community are 23 miles from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. For healthcare, Anderson Hospital is only 9 miles from Horseshoe Lake.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Pontoon Beach Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,400
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,400
Demographics
Total Population
5,733
Median Age
41
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,968
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$70,878
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.9%
College Graduates
16.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
8''
Area Factors
Somewhat bikeable
Bikeability®
20/ 100
Not walkable
Walkability®
10/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
