Named after its Venetian cousin, Venice, Illinois garners its name from major flooding at the original site of settlement. Originally located too close to the Mississippi River, the site experienced frequent flooding before the invention of levees – flood walls built parallel to a waterway to reduce the risk of flooding. Venice would later become an industrial hub with expertise in road, railroad and river traffic. Major highways, industrial sites and railyards define the landscape for the most part, leaving a pocket of a town that takes 20 minutes to walk from the north end to the south but nevertheless is only 5 miles from the bustling downtown of St. Louis. Venice receives an overall CAP Crime Score of 4, which is the same as the national average. However, the area sees more violent crimes compared to those related to property. “Venice is a lower priced, slower selling area — residents here are close to Mckinley Bridge and may travel into Granite City for everyday essentials,” says long-time local Latitia Williams, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors. It may not be an Italian getaway, but Venice is a rare example of a small, idyllic community within sight of a major metropolis.
The Mississippi River plays a vital role in Venice's history, culture, and daily life.
Venice’s community initiatives focus on improving the town for all who call it home.
1/2
Cozy bungalows and Prairie-style homes
Many of Venice’s early 1900s houses invoke the styles of homes seen on a barn or planted on a grand estate, such as farmhouse- and Craftsman designs. The average lot size in the community is a tenth of an acre, so instead of presiding over pastureland, residents are more likely to sit on compact yard steps from a sidewalk. While renters dominate the area, many single-family homes were constructed in the early 1900s and are spread along the sidewalk-lined streets. Lots can be close to neighbors or spread with empty lots and vacated properties found throughout. Venice features a variety of home styles from single-story Ranch-styles and cozy bungalows to two-story Prairie-styles. Homes often feature detached garages and ornate fencing for added seclusion from neighbors. Lawns are typically small and offer enough room for a small garden and some shrubbery. With a median sales price of $17,000, homes range from around $15,000 for a two-bedroom bungalow fixer-upper to upwards of $40,000 for a two-bedroom Prairie-style. The majority of homes sell for less than $100,000, but be aware that the typical house is nearly 90 years old and many properties need various levels of repairs. “Homebuyers aren’t flooding into the quaint community that is made of roughly two dozen residential blocks, and homes in Venice sell slowly,” says Williams.
The residential areas of Venice are known for their sense of community and neighborly spirit.
Venice’s well-kept homes reflect the strong values and community spirit of its residents.
1/2
Commute into St. Louis over Mckinley Bridge
Residents here rely on Illinois State Route 3 for easy access over the Mckinley Bridge and to neighboring areas like Madison and East St. Louis. When seeking public transportation, residents can board the Madison County Transit, which operates along Broadway and throughout Venice. Those interested in traveling further outside the community can visit Lambert-St. Louis International Airport 14 miles away. For healthcare, the Gateway Regional Medical Center is only 3 miles from Venice.
The exciting streets of downtown St. Louis are only a few minutes from Venice.
The Madison County bus system services all of Venice.
1/2
Education and development in Venice District Schools
Students in Venice can begin their education at Venice Elementary, which is housed in a temporary facility while a new building is being completed by 2027. The state of Illinois infused the district with $26 million for a new elementary school campus after the old one was condemned in 2020 and subsequently demolished. Then head to Lovejoy Middle School, which serves around 30 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. Before finally graduating from Lovejoy Technology Academy, which serves Grades 9 through 12 and serves around 40 students. Both Venice Elementary and Lovejoy Middle are C-rated by the educational review site, Niche. Lovejoy Technology Academy has not been rated yet.
Venice Elementary is part of the CU School District.
Fostering hands-on tech skills at Lovejoy Technology Academy in Fairmont City.
1/2
Shopping at Nameoki Shopping Center
The industrial roots in Venice leave little room for major department stores or name-brand shopping, however Nameoki Shopping Center in Granite City is only 3 miles from the community. Residents can shop at a variety of retailers like, Dollar Tree, Hibbett Sports and Cato Fashions. For groceries and everyday essentials, stores like Schnucks Granite City, Save A Lot and CVS Pharmacy are also available. When dining in the area, locals can head to community staple John’s Drive-In for classic American fare and slushies that have served the community since the ’70s. Or check out the seafood menu at Marko's Fish, which has been open for almost a century and received recognition from the Mayor. John W. Hamm III and the City of Madison in 2024. For authentic Chinese cuisine, visit locally-owned China House for their fried rice and noodle plates perfect for take-out meals on-the-go.
The proximity of Schuncks to Venice offers residents easy access to a wide variety of products.
Venice’s housing market offers options for all, from charming older homes to newer builds.
1/2
Picnic along the First Route 66 Path over the Mississippi River
When entering the community from the West, locals are greeted by Venice signage and patches of greenery at McKinley Bridge Roadside Park. Residents can enjoy an outdoor lunch on the shaded picnic tables or learn about McKinley Bridge history as it’s known as the First Route 66 Path across the Mississippi River. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the public Gateway National Golf Links nearby, offering 18 holes and scenic views of the iconic Gateway Arch on the horizon. Daily tee times and seasonal passes are available for players of all ages and skill levels. NASCAR fans can head over to World Wide Technology Raceway and cheer on their favorite drivers in one of the 57,000 seats in the stadium stands. The raceway hosts a variety of events from drag racing and stock-car events throughout the year.
The iconic sculpture at McKinley Bridge Roadside Park indicates that you are now in Illinois.
Take the bike path through McKinley Bridge Roadside Park and explore the Mississippi River.
1/2
The Recreation Hall at the heart of Venice
The Venice Recreation Hall is located at the heart of the community, along with the Venice Library and the local Venice Fire Department. Aside from renting out the modern event space within the hall, locals often capitalize on the paved trails and tree-lined playground area behind the establishment. The outdoor facility is managed by the Venice Park District and offers a large open green space with fenced basketball courts and playground areas for children to climb and burn some energy.
Venice Park District provides a lush green escape for residents and visitors alike.
Locals appreciate the quiet and welcoming atmosphere of the Venice Public Library.
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
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
