When Swansea residents step out their front doors, they find the rest of the St. Louis region right at their fingertips. Named after the city of Swansea, Wales, this is a village of just about 14,400. Yet it’s only 16 miles from Downtown St. Louis, is close to an array of jobs, has homes for a ranges of tastes, and offers well-regarded public schools. “It’s got one of the best school districts,” says Latoya Lancaster, a Realtor with Keller Williams Marquee based in nearby Edwardsville. “It’s close to the highways and close to all shopping and entertainment.”
Swansea's proximity to St Louis offers residents access to diverse employment opportunities.
Wolf Branch Elementary School prioritizes learning and collaboration in Swansea, IL.
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Modern homes are available in Bristol Hill
Bungalows and Cape Cods can be found in the southern part of the village and sell for $120,000 to $205,000. The population in Swansea more than quadrupled from 1940 to 1980, and because of that there is an influx of midcentury ranch-style houses and colonials that sell for about $70,000 to $400,000. The Bristol Hill and Fairfield Manor subdivisions have recent, new traditional styles for $350,000 and $475,000. “It’s a mixture of older homes, newer built homes, modern homes — depending on the area you’re looking,” Lancaster says. The median list price is about $260,000, a tad more than in some surrounding communities like Belleville and Fairview Heights, but still considerably less than the national average. Homes sell after an average of 44 days on the market, on par with the national average.
A Cape Cod gem in Swansea with stone accents and shiplap siding.
Quaint bungalow style brings warmth to Swansea neighborhoods.
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Scott Air Force Base is a top employer
Scott Air Force Base is the largest employer in the Southwest Illinois region by far at about 15,000 people, and it’s just 9 miles from Swansea. The base is home to the 375th Air Mobility Wing, which operates a fleet of C-21 planes for passenger and cargo transportation. The 222-bed Memorial Hospital, 3 miles away in Belleville, is another major employer with almost 3,000 employees. Also, Swansea’s closeness to St. Louis means jobs there are available with a reasonable commute. “I know a lot of people do commute back and forth to Missouri to work,” Lancaster says.
Your health journey starts at Memorial Hospital near Swansea, IL.
Scott Air Force Base is a vital military installation for the US near Swansea, IL.
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Three school districts cover Swansea
The Wolf Branch School District, High Mount School District 116 and Belleville Township High School District 201 combine to cover most students in Swansea. The Wolf Branch and Belleville Township systems carry A-minus grades on Niche. High Mount includes just the C-plus-rated High Mount School, with prekindergarten to eighth grade. Belleville Township High School District 201 includes Belleville East High and Belleville West High, both B-plus rated. Wolf Branch features the A-minus-rated Wolf Branch Elementary and the A-rated Wolf Branch Middle. The middle school was rebuilt in recent years, including a 44,000-square-foot addition. The A-plus-rated Governor French Academy is a private option 2 miles away in Belleville, with prekindergarten to 12th grade. The academy sends 96% of its students to college.
High Mount Elementary is a respected school for students in Swansea, IL.
Belleville High School fosters learning and growth for Swansea-area students.
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Clinton Hills Conservation Park was converted from a golf course
The Clinton Hills Conservation Park, a 166-acre former golf course, offers a paved loop trail and an18-hole disc golf course. Schranz Memorial Park is popular for its castle-themed playground and splash pad, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The splash pad is a way to cool off during Swansea summers that can get hot. “We have all four seasons,” Lancaster says. “When it’s cold, it’s really cold. When it’s warm, it’s really warm. That’s everywhere out here in the Midwest.” The region is prone to tornadoes. An EF-0 tornado touched down in April 2023 and traveled about a mile.
A remarkable playground is available at Schranz Memorial Park in Swansea, IL.
Enjoy a game of frisbee golf at Clinton Hills Conservation Park's course in Swansea, IL.
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Nearby Belleville has numerous community events
Illinois Route 159 is the main thoroughfare running through the middle of town. It’s lined with big-box stores and chain restaurants. Residents are about 2 miles from downtown Belleville, an eclectic and walkable district full of local restaurants and shops. “A lot of people go downtown Belleville to go to the festivals and all the things there,” Lancaster says. Events in Downtown Belleville include a chili cook-off in October, which Lancaster says is very popular. Belleville also has a two-day Oktoberfest in late September and a Santa Parade right after Thanksgiving.
Fresh from the farm produce can be purchased at the Swansea Farmer's Market.
See a dazzling display of lights at the Way of Lights near Swansea, IL.
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MetroLink offers public transit to St. Louis
St. Louis’ Metro Transit has a MetroLink light rail station in Swansea, reaching downtown St. Louis in about 30 minutes. The system’s MetroBus system has stops as well. Drivers can take Illinois Route 161 out of town and to Interstate 64 for commutes to St. Louis. Commercial flights through Allegiant are available at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, 13 miles away.
Crime
According to the Swansea Police Department’s 2023 Year End Report, crime dropped 15% in the village from 2022 to 2023, including a 29% decrease in drug and narcotic offenses.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ponstingl
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ethel Shanklin,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Swansea, IL sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Swansea, IL over the last 12 months is $269,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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