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What It’s Like Living in Glen Carbon IL 😍 | Moving to Glen Carbon Guide + Tips

Last Updated on: 12th October 2023, 06:25 pm

The history of Glen Carbon is rich in the coal mining industry. This village had multiple coal mines, but the last one finally shut down in 1934. The Village of Glen Carbon is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the country and has been voted the #1 Best Place to Live in Madison County on multiple occasions. Only 29 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Glen Carbon is home to great housing, dining, shopping, and recreation opportunities. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is minutes away, and Glen Carbon is known for its top-rated public schools. The town is beautiful, with lots of ponds and parks for families living in Glen Carbon.

Check out what’s waiting for you when moving to Glen Carbon, Illinois!

Where Is Glen Carbon Illinois?

Glen Carbon is a village in southwest Madison County, about 29 minutes northeast of downtown St. Louis, MO. The village is bordered on the north by Edwardsville, the southeast by Troy, the south by Maryville, and the west by Pontoon Beach.

Glen Carbon IL Population & Demographics

Glen Carbon demographics:

  • Population density: 1,349.65/sq mi
  • Median age: 39.9
  • Sex ratio: 50.0% females to 50.0% males
  • Median household income: $86,406
  • Educational attainment: 96.7% high school grad or higher, 51.9% bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Foreign-born population: 2.8%
  • Veteran population: 824

The people who are living in Glen Carbon enjoy the small town suburb lifestyle. Many have elementary, middle, and high school kids at home. Notable people from Glen Carbon include A. J. Epenesa, from Buffalo Bills, and Johnny Lucas, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox.

The population of Glen Carbon is 13,842, according to the 2020 Census, up 7% from 2010.

Racial and ethnic demographics of Glen Carbon:

  •  88.6% White (86.7% Non-Hispanic)
  • 4.3% Black or African American
  • 1.7% Asian
  • 4.6% two or more races
  • Hispanic population is 3.6%

You want to protect your family, and thankfully, Glen Carbon is a very safe place to live. The crime rate is 71% lower than the national average, and violent crimes in Glen Carbon are 92% lower. In Glen Carbon, there are 687 total crimes per 100,000 people. The Glen Carbon Police Department serves the community of Glen Carbon with 24 sworn officers.

Glen Carbon IL Cost Of Living – Is Glen Carbon, IL Expensive?

Curious about the cost of living in Glen Carbon? You won’t have to fork over your entire wallet, as Glen Carbon is an affordable town to live in. The cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. Goods and services, healthcare, utilities, and transportation are all 6-14% below the national average. Grocery costs are equal to the national average.

Typical Glen Carbon Living Expenses:

  • Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
  • Domestic beer: $6.00
  • 1 gallon of milk: $3.38
  • Dozen eggs: $3.23
  • 1 pound of chicken: $5.37
  • Average Glen Carbon monthly utility bill: $197.43

Source: Numbeo, St. Louis Metro

Housing is the only cost higher than the national average in Glen Carbon, but it’s only 5% higher, making housing fairly affordable. The Glen Carbon housing market is somewhat competitive, and the median sale price of a home in Glen Carbon is $433,000, a 28.3% jump since last year. By comparison, home prices in St. Louis average $235,000.The median sale price per square foot in Glen Carbon is $145, up 10.7% since last year.

You’ll need to move quickly to secure the home you want. Homes in Glen Carbon average nine days on the market compared to 41 days last year. Check out homes for sale in Glen Carbon IL to find out how much a home in Glen Carbon will cost you. 

If you are planning to rent in Glen Carbon, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,000, an 18% increase since last year. Average rents in St. Louis are $1,171 per month.

Best Neighborhoods In Glen Carbon IL

Glen Carbon offers affordable, well-maintained, established neighborhoods and new developments with homes in a wide range of sizes and styles that appeal to almost every taste and preference. Surrounded by parks, bike trails, walking trails, and more, you’re sure to find a neighborhood in Glen Carbon that’s perfect for you. Here are the top neighborhoods in Glen Carbon, depending on what you’re looking for, which will help you choose from the many houses for sale in Glen Carbon IL:

Autumn Glen | Family-Friendly Neighborhood With Lots Of Surrounding Amenities

The neighborhood of Autumn Glen consists of beautiful ranch-style and two-story single-family homes that are perfect for families. The community is also conveniently located near parks, downtown Glen Carbon, walking and biking trails, restaurants, a public library, and churches. The median home price in Autumn Glen is $345,000.

Savannah Crossing | New Neighborhood In Glen Carbon For Families And Professionals

Savannah Crossing is a newer community in Glen Carbon and is home to many families and professionals. The country atmosphere gives the impression you are far from the city when you’re only 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis. The community is close to the interstate and is connected to the Madison County Transit Ronald Foster Heritage Trail. The energy-efficient homes come equipped with the latest features and stunning designs. The median price for a home in Savannah Crossing is $400,000.

Ginger Creek | Friendly Neighborhood With Beautiful Surroundings

Ginger Creek is a well-established, planned community conveniently located just off Route 157. The quiet neighborhood consists of beautiful, large homes, mostly ½ acre to 1-acre lots, and winding tree-lined streets. Ginger Creek features a clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and a lake. Home prices in Ginger Creek average $665,000, and homes range in size from about 2,500 to 6,000 square feet.

Glen Carbon IL Weather & Climate

Don’t you want to experience all four seasons? Because you can while living in Glen Carbon! You’ll get the hot summer, cozy fall, cold winter, and bright spring! The Glen Carbon summers are warm and muggy, while the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy. Summer lasts about four months, from the end of May to the end of September. The hottest month of the year is July. Average highs are 88°F, and average lows are 69°F. Winter lasts about three months, from the end of November to the end of February. The average winter high temperature is 49°F. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 25°F and a high of 40°F. The yearly amount of rain in Glen Carbon is 43 inches, while you can expect about 12 inches of snow per year.

Things to do in Glen Carbon IL

Glen Carbon offers a variety of attractions and entertainment for the whole family. You can get all your shopping done at the Walmart in Glen Carbon, Walgreens Glen Carbon, and other mainstream shops. In addition, Glen Carbon offers a variety of local shops. Nearby malls in Edwardsville include Montclair Shopping Center and Edwardsville Marketplace. Here are some of the best things to do in Granville:

The Axe Company

 

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The Axe Company is an exciting destination in Glen Carbon where you can hone your axe-throwing skills or just have a fun time. Ages 8 and up are welcome to sharpen their skills and compete. The Axe Company also has competitive axe-throwing leagues for youth, singles, and teams.

20 Kettle River Dr Ste A Glen Carbon, IL 62034, (618) 650-9053

Nickel Plate Trail

Nickel Plate Trail is a biking and walking trail and part of the Madison County Transit Trails system. The trail extends 28 miles from Pontoon Beach, IL to Douglas, IL, and connects to Glen Carbon at Miner’s Park. The trail offers scenic views of woods and farmland, with access to parks, neighborhoods, and historic districts.

Miner Park, Glen Carbon Park & Ride Lot at IL-157, Glen Carbon, IL, 618-797-4600

Altitude Trampoline Park

 

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At Altitude Trampoline Park, you can jump, climb, bounce, dodge, and lots more! With trampolines, airbags, trampoline basketball dunking, battle beams, a foam pit, trampoline dodgeball, a rock wall, and more, you’ll never run out of fun things to do.

91 Fountain Dr, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, 618-663-3879

Additional Attractions near Glen Carbon:

Glen Carbon’s Park & Recreation office operates three parks, Ray M. Schon Park, Miner Park, and Village Hall Park. Park amenities include barbecue grills, wildlife, playgrounds, sheltered pavilions, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and dog parks. And don’t forget about the Glen Carbon City Events Calendar to check out more fun things!

Glen Carbon IL Restaurants

Glen Carbon and Edwardsville offer a variety of dining options, including restaurants, pubs, and diners. Here are some of the top-rated restaurants near Glen Carbon:

Wooden Nickle Pub and Grill

Situated right on historic Main Street in Glen Carbon, the Wooden Nickel Glen Carbon Pub and Grill has an old town pub atmosphere and great burgers, wraps, and sandwiches. Watch a game on one of the five flat-screen TVs while you enjoy friends, food, and drinks!

171 S. Main St., Glen Carbon, IL 62035, (618) 288-2141

The Cabin at Judy Creek

The Cabin offers good, simple sandwiches, soups, and pizzas, sourced from local ingredients, seasonal craft beer on tap, canned beer, craft cocktails, and a wide selection of wines and bourbons. Come listen to live music every Friday through Sunday night.

3730 S State Rt 157 Glen Carbon, IL 62034, (618) 205-8556

54th Street Scratch Grill & Bar

The village of Glen Carbon has some of the most delicious food, and you’ll find all the American classics at this bar! With over 1,000 positive reviews, it’s clear this Glen Carbon restaurant is a local favorite. Check out the craft beers and delicious burgers!

6660 Edwardsville Crossing Dr, Glen Carbon, IL 62034, (618) 656-5455

Jobs In Glen Carbon IL

The average salary in Glen Carbon is $18.81 per hour or $39,125, according to Payscale. Though the city is on the smaller side, Glen Carbon employs 6,140 people. The most common jobs are in management, office & administrative support, education instruction, & library. Many residents commute from Glen Carbon to St. Louis for a wide range of job opportunities.

Major employers in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville include:

  • Southern Illinois University
  • Madison County Government
  • Edwardsville Community School District #7
  • TheBANK of Edwardsville
  • YMCA of Edwardsville

If you’re ready to explore your career opportunities in Glen Carbon, check out Glen Carbon jobs and employment on Indeed, Glen Carbon City Job Board, or other job search sites.

Schools In Glen Carbon, IL

Glan Carbon is part of the Edwardsville Community Unit District 7 school system, one of the best school systems in Illinois. All Glen Carbon schools are highly rated! Glen Carbon Elementary (K-2) and Cassens Elementary (3-5) are located in Glen Carbon. Middle and high school students attend either Liberty or Lincoln Middle and Edwardsville High in Edwardsville. Private schools in Glen Carbon include Lahr-Well Academy, Faith Baptist Academy, and Gateway Legacy Christian Academy.

Within 50 miles of Glen Carbon, there are 36 schools of higher education. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville is the closest, 2.6 miles from Glen Carbon. The top-rated and largest college in the area is Washington University in St. Louis, enrolling 16,973 students. The most affordable school in the area is St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, offering a tuition of $3,816 per year.

The Glen Carbon Library has something for everyone to enjoy, from books to activities and more.

Glen Carbon IL Statistics & Information

  • County: Madison
  • Area: 10.37 square miles
  • Glen Carbon zip code: 62034
  • Area codes: 618
  • Elevation: 505 feet
  • Time zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
  • Closest airport: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), 26 miles away

Glen Carbon, IL Map

Explore the area and other fun attractions and restaurants with this map of Glen Carbon.

There’s so much to love about living in Glen Carbon! If this village is calling your name, trust our Glen Carbon movers to relocate you and your belongings safely! Give us a call at 800-747-4100 for a free quote!

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