West City is a quaint town with impressive amenities
West City is a small community just west of Benton, the seat of Franklin County. Although it’s only one-tenth the size of its neighbor, it’s home to a sizable number of area restaurants and retailers. It’s also centered around the intersection of Interstate 57 and state Route 14, so it’s easy for residents to get around. Although West City developed as an outgrowth of Benton during the southern Illinois coal boom in the early 20th century, its biggest draw these days is its location. Highways lead to employers in Benton and to Rend Lake, one of the biggest tourism spots in the region. “The things West City has going for it are a lot of the same things as Benton,” says real estate agent and area native Alec Childers of House 2 Home Realty. “Nice small town feel, lots of outdoor amenities and easy highway access. Home prices are pretty reasonable too.”
Modest homes with large yards
The West City housing market is almost entirely made up of early-to-mid 20th-century cottages and ranch-style homes. Homes tend to be fairly modest, but yards in the area are generally large, and many properties back up into farms or local forests. Empty lots also make up a sizable number of real estate sales in town, which distinguishes it from the otherwise very similar Benton market. Fixer-uppers in the area can be found in West City for anywhere from $20,000 to $70,000, while larger move-in ready properties can go for around $70,000 to $150,000. Lot prices in the area vary considerably depending on their location and utilities.
Shopping and dining center around Main Street
Main Street is the commercial center of both West City and neighboring Benton. The east-west Main Street that passes through both towns is paired with a second north-south-running Main Street that passes through the heart of Benton and offers some additional shopping options. West City is home to the area’s only Walmart, while the local Save A Lot supermarket is in central Benton. As for restaurants, West City has a few chains, as well as the longstanding Plaza Restaurant, a popular American-style eatery. Downtown Benton, just 2 miles east, offers a bit more culinary variety as well as some small-town ambience: brick storefronts, local shops and a few bars. Benton is also home to the county’s only full-service medical center, Franklin Hospital, which is located on the north side of town.
Rend Lake draws crowds every summer
While West City doesn’t have any parks of its own, Benton City Park sits on the community’s southern border and offers walking trails, a playground, and athletic courts and fields. That said, the area’s most impressive and most visited recreational asset is probably Rend Lake, which is just 5 miles north of town. The 13-mile-long manmade lake is bordered by wildlife refuges, public and private campgrounds and beaches, and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. Its shores offer opportunities for hiking and birdwatching, while the lake itself is popular with swimmers, boaters and fishing enthusiasts. “It can get pretty busy in the summer,” says Childers. “People aren’t necessarily staying in West City or Benton — they’re usually closer to the lake — but the shops and restaurants definitely get a lot busier.”
Shared public schools with Benton
The town is part of Benton Community Consolidated School District. Benton Grade School K-4 has a B-minus on Niche, while Benton Grade School 5-8 has a C. Benton Consolidated High School has a B-minus as well, and offers dual credit courses through a partnership with Rend Lake College in nearby Ina.
May's Rend Lake Water Festival
The Rend Lake Water Festival, held every May by the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce, is the biggest event on the community calendar. Centered around Main Street and Capitol Park in Benton, it features a parade, carnival, car show and a variety of food vendors and live music.
Easy access to I-57
Main Street is the easiest way for most folks to get around the West City-Benton area, while Interstate 57 connects the community to larger cities like Marion and Carbondale, which are roughly 20 and 30 miles away by car, respectively. There’s no regular public transit in the area, so just about everyone relies on cars to get around. Both Marion and Carbondale have small regional airports, but locals often make the 100-mile drive to St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport.
