$144,238Average Value$113Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Roxana draws new residents while managing refinery impact
It’s nearly impossible to miss the sprawling Wood River Refinery in Roxana, which has brought jobs as well as some contention to the village. The refinery employs 1,110 people. In a 2018 court settlement, the refinery – accused of contaminating the groundwater with the chemical benzene – paid nearly $5 million to residents of Roxana and nearby communities. Despite this history, Roxana continues to draw new residents, evidenced by rising sales prices and depleted inventory levels.
The local oil refineries are a large source of jobs for the residents of Roxana.
See historical refining equipment at Wood River Refinery Museum near Roxana.
1/2
Homes sell quickly in a tight and close-knit market
Bungalows and cottages are snuggled together on Roxana’s grided blocks, which form a peninsula of homes surrounded on three sides by industrial zones. One-bedroom, sub-1,000-square-foot homes can be found for less than $100,000, while a more expansive three-bedroom house with 2,245 square feet is likely to be priced in the high $100,000s. With only 1.4 months of supply on the market in the compact village, houses are swarmed with interest when they are put up for sale, Flener says. Neighbors are never physically far from one another, and they stay even closer with the help of the internet, Flener adds. “They have a neighborhood page. People can post when they need food or clothes, and they come together.” says houses are swarmed as soon as they’re put up for sale. Only 3 miles from the Mississippi River, the village government encourages Roxana residents to seek out information on flood insurance since parts of the community are in federally designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Some newer split level homes can be found on the outer edges of the Roxana neighborhood.
National style homes are common in Roxana.
1/2
Local schools offer award-winning teachers and outdoor learning
Home listings aren’t all that draws crowds in the village of 1,500 people. Locals frequently gather to cheer on the Shells, Roxana Senior High School’s mascot name that comes from the refinery once run by Shell Oil. “It has a phenomenal athletic department,” Coldwell Banker Brown Realtor Lisa Flener says. “The whole town comes out and supports the teams.” Of course the local schools offer more than sports. At South Primary School, where kids go from prekindergarten until second grade, the teachers earn a grade of B-minus from Niche, and South Primary is the reigning recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award, given out each year to the district’s top educator. After that students attend Central Intermediate School. While Niche gives the school an overall grade of C-plus, the academic performance gets higher marks with a B-minus. Roxana Junior High School houses a clinic overseen by the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, so students and their families have easy access to preventative care. Meanwhile a Roxana Senior High School teacher in 2023 was recognized by the Madison County Green Schools Program for her work bringing an outdoor garden and classroom to the high school.
The teachers at Central Elementary School in Roxana get a grade of B from Niche.com.
Roxana Sr High School is rated as a 3/10 from GreatSchools.com.
1/2
Central Avenue adds fresh dining options to Roxana’s core
Two new businesses are on their way to the heart of Roxana, as a diner is being constructed on Central Avenue, while Nana’s Cups-N-Cones aims to begin scooping ice cream across the street by the end of the year. For a dining option that has stood the test of time, check out King Louie’s Drive-In a few blocks north of Roxana. You can rumble up, and a carhop will bring shakes and foil-wrapped burgers to your window just as they’ve done since the eatery opened in the ‘50s. On your way back to Roxana, swing by Farm Fresh to load up on groceries.
1929 serves fresh wood-fired pizza and is less than 2 miles from Roxana.
For fancy coffee, Roxana residents might run up to Alton's Post Commons.
1/2
Community events and recreation fill Roxana’s central park
In keeping with the community’s active aura, Roxana boasts a popular network of parks, Flener says. If locals aren’t flocking to Roxana Park for a dip in the pool or a recreational league softball game, they’re probably coming out for the Roxana Park Auto Show. The 40-year tradition fills the park with chrome and racing stripes as owners show off their classic cars.
Head over to Roxana Community Park District for baseball, disk golf, and more!
Roxana Community Park’s baseball field is perfect for players and fans alike.
1/2
St. Louis stadiums and restaurants are just 24 miles away
While Roxana offers enjoyable sporting events and tasty bites of its own, residents can explore more at the stadiums and dining districts of St. Louis 24 miles to the west.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Nelson
Video By
Reuben Davis
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sarah Miller,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Roxana, IL sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Roxana, IL over the last 12 months is $126,000, up 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your new home, clean and ready to move into. You will enjoy a large dining room for entertaining, adjoined to a kitchenette. The bathroom is remodeled. Bonus room could be for additional sleep space/ office. Sun porch, foyer, and tons of storage in the basement make this home even better. Carport is brand new, plus a nice shed, large driveway with front and alley access and a beautiful
Looking to expand your portfolio? Or start your investment future? 516 N Old Edwardsville Rd offers just that! Both homes are occupied with long term tenants on month-to-month leases. 2 bedrooms and 1 bath makes up the front home and 1 bedroom/1 bath rounds out the rear home. Conveniently located near highways, shopping, restaurants and schools. Call today for more information! ALL information is
Two parcels containing 37 contiguous acres. Approximately 30 acres of tillable land, ample road frontage along Old Poag Road with possible access off of the SIUE Northern access Road (per IDOT approval). Great visibility at the intersection of New Poag Rd & SIUE Access Rd. Electric, Natural gas and Public water available nearby. Sold subject to tenant’s rights. Madison County, IL would be in
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the 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.
