Saint Clair County

St. Clair County is located in southwestern Illinois along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, directly opposite St. Louis, Missouri, and forms part of the Metro East region of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Established in 1790 during the Northwest Territory period, it is one of Illinois’s oldest counties and has long been influenced by river commerce, transportation corridors, and suburban growth tied to the St. Louis economy. With a population of roughly 250,000 residents, St. Clair County is mid-sized by Illinois standards. The county combines urbanized communities such as Belleville and East St. Louis with rural farmland and bluff landscapes extending away from the river. Its economy includes government and health services, logistics and manufacturing, and retail and service employment, with extensive commuter connections across the Mississippi. The county seat is Belleville, which also serves as a regional administrative and cultural center.

Saint Clair County is located in southwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River, forming part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area on the Illinois side. The county seat is Belleville, and regional public information is maintained by the Saint Clair County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Saint Clair County, Illinois, the county’s population was 257,100 (2020 Census), with an estimated 253,670 (July 1, 2023).

Age & Gender

The U.S. Census Bureau’s county profile tables are published through data.census.gov, but this response cannot provide exact age-distribution percentages and the male/female ratio because the required county-level breakdown tables (age by detailed bands and sex distribution) are not available here in a verifiable, citable form without directly querying specific tables on data.census.gov.

For an authoritative county breakdown, the standard source is the U.S. Census Bureau’s detailed tables for Saint Clair County on data.census.gov (commonly ACS 5-year subject and detailed tables by age and sex).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Saint Clair County, Illinois (most recently available annual updates), the county’s composition includes the following categories reported by the Census Bureau:

• White alone
• Black or African American alone
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone
• Asian alone
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
• Two or more races
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

This response cannot list the exact county percentages for each category without directly extracting the current values from the QuickFacts table at time of publication. The official, citable values are available directly in the linked QuickFacts profile.

Household & Housing Data

The U.S. Census Bureau reports household and housing indicators for the county through the QuickFacts profile for Saint Clair County, Illinois, including:

• Number of households
• Average household size
• Owner-occupied housing rate
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units
• Median gross rent
• Total housing units
• Homeownership and selected housing characteristics

This response cannot reproduce exact household counts and housing statistics here because the specific current values must be taken directly from the official QuickFacts table to remain exact and verifiable. The linked QuickFacts page provides the authoritative figures and the reference year for each measure.

Saint Clair County, Illinois includes dense metro areas near St. Louis as well as more rural townships, so digital communication depends on neighborhood-level broadband availability, provider buildout, and household resources. Direct county-level email usage rates are not routinely published; email adoption is summarized using proxy indicators such as broadband and device access and demographic structure.

Digital access indicators (proxies for email access)

Recent U.S. Census Bureau (ACS) household internet and computer tables provide county estimates for broadband subscriptions and computer ownership, which are closely associated with regular email use. Lower broadband subscription or computer access typically corresponds to more limited routine email access, especially for form-based services that function poorly on mobile-only connections.

Age and gender distribution (adoption context)

The county’s age profile in the ACS county demographic profile is a key proxy: older populations tend to have lower overall digital adoption and may rely more on assisted access. Gender distributions are also available in the same profile; gender differences are generally less predictive than age and income for email access.

Connectivity and infrastructure limitations

Infrastructure constraints are reflected in local broadband availability and service levels documented in FCC National Broadband Map data, including gaps in high-speed coverage and variability in advertised speeds.

Saint Clair County is located in southwestern Illinois within the Greater St. Louis metropolitan region, bordering the Mississippi River and encompassing urbanized communities (e.g., Belleville, East St. Louis, O’Fallon, Swansea, Shiloh) as well as lower-density townships and agricultural land. This mix of suburban/urban development and exurban/rural areas affects mobile connectivity because network capacity tends to be strongest near population and transportation corridors, while coverage and speeds can be more variable in less dense areas and near river bottoms and industrial corridors.

County context relevant to mobile connectivity

• Population and density: Saint Clair County is one of the more populated counties in Illinois outside the Chicago region and is integrated with the St. Louis labor and media market. Higher density in the central/eastern suburban belt generally supports more cell sites and higher capacity than sparsely populated areas.
• Terrain/land cover: The county is largely in the American Bottom and adjacent uplands; while it lacks major mountainous terrain, river floodplain topography, heavy vegetation in some areas, and the built environment (industrial facilities, rail corridors, large buildings) can influence signal propagation and indoor performance.
• Travel corridors: Interstates (I‑64, I‑55/70) and major arterials typically correspond to stronger macro-cell coverage and more frequent upgrades.

Primary county reference: St. Clair County, Illinois official website.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

• Network availability describes where mobile service (voice/LTE/5G) is reported to be present and at what performance tier.
• Adoption describes whether households and individuals actually subscribe to mobile service and use mobile devices/internet.

County-level adoption metrics are often not reported specifically for “mobile penetration” at the county scale in a single authoritative series; the most consistent county-level adoption indicators come from the American Community Survey (ACS) and reflect household internet subscription types and device availability, not carrier coverage.

Network availability in Saint Clair County (4G LTE and 5G)

FCC Broadband Data Collection (coverage availability)

The most widely used public source for reported U.S. coverage is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC), which includes mobile broadband coverage layers based on provider filings and is updated on a rolling basis.

• 4G LTE: In metro-adjacent counties such as Saint Clair, LTE is generally reported as widespread, with stronger reliability and capacity in and around incorporated municipalities and along interstates. Areas with lower population density may still have LTE coverage but can experience more variability in throughput and indoor coverage.
• 5G: 5G availability in the St. Louis metro region (including the Illinois side) is typically present in population centers, with a mix of:
  • Low-band 5G (broader coverage, modest speed gains over LTE),
  • Mid-band 5G (higher capacity in many suburban/urban areas),
  • High-band/mmWave (very localized, generally concentrated in dense commercial zones; countywide presence is not typically uniform).

Authoritative coverage visualization and downloads:

• FCC National Broadband Map (switch to mobile and filter by technology/provider)
• FCC Broadband Data Collection program page

Limitations: FCC BDC mobile availability is based on provider-reported coverage and standardized modeling; it is not the same as guaranteed indoor service or measured performance at specific locations.

State broadband planning context

Illinois broadband planning and mapping efforts generally focus on fixed broadband but provide context on unserved/underserved areas that can overlap with weaker mobile capacity in low-density locations.

• Illinois Office of Broadband (Connect Illinois)

Limitation: State programs primarily emphasize fixed broadband funding eligibility; they do not function as a definitive county-level mobile adoption dataset.

Adoption and access indicators (household subscription and device availability)

ACS household internet subscription categories (adoption proxy)

The ACS provides county-level estimates describing whether households have:

• A broadband subscription (e.g., cable/fiber/DSL),
• A cellular data plan,
• Or no internet subscription.

These measures are commonly used as adoption proxies for mobile internet access because they reflect whether a household reports using a cellular data plan for internet service (which may be supplemental to fixed service or primary in some households).

Primary source for county tables:

• data.census.gov (ACS “Selected Characteristics of Internet Subscriptions in the United States” and related tables)

Supporting methodology:

• American Community Survey (ACS) overview

Limitations and interpretation notes

• ACS cellular-plan reporting is household-based, not an individual “mobile penetration rate.”
• “Cellular data plan” does not indicate 4G vs 5G usage and does not capture service quality.
• Households may have both fixed broadband and cellular plans; the ACS separates categories but requires careful interpretation of overlapping access.

Smartphone/device presence indicators (adoption-related)

ACS device questions identify whether a household has:

• A smartphone,
• A computer (desktop/laptop/tablet),
• And other access characteristics.

These indicators are useful for distinguishing smartphone-based access from other device types.

Source:

• ACS device and subscription tables on data.census.gov

Limitation: County-level breakdowns can have margins of error, and the ACS measures household availability rather than individual ownership.

Mobile internet usage patterns (what is measurable at county scale)

Technology generation usage (4G vs 5G)

County-level public datasets generally provide stronger evidence for availability (where 4G/5G is offered) than usage (what share of traffic is on 5G). Publicly accessible, authoritative county-level 5G “usage share” statistics are not consistently published across all carriers and vendors.

Measurable county-relevant patterns typically include:

• Availability footprint: from the FCC mobile map (provider-reported 4G/5G coverage).
• Adoption proxy: ACS household reporting of cellular data plans and smartphone presence.

Limitation: Carrier-specific telemetry (e.g., percent of connections on 5G) is not generally available as an official county time series.

Common device types (smartphones vs other devices)

At the county level, the most defensible public indicators come from ACS device availability:

• Smartphones are typically the most prevalent personal mobile access device category captured directly by ACS.
• Tablets and laptops are captured under computer device categories and are relevant to mobile connectivity via Wi‑Fi or tethering, but ACS does not directly measure tethering behavior.
• Non-smartphone mobile phones (basic/feature phones) are not as directly enumerated in ACS device items; smartphone presence is the clearer benchmark for modern mobile internet capability.

Primary source:

• ACS device-availability tables on data.census.gov

Limitation: Public county-level sources do not provide a complete device market share split (e.g., iOS vs Android) in an official statistical series.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Saint Clair County

Urban–suburban–rural gradients

• Network availability and performance: Higher-density municipalities and commercial corridors generally support more cell sites and spectrum reuse, which improves capacity and often speeds. Less dense parts of the county may have fewer sites per square mile, affecting indoor coverage and peak-hour performance.
• Adoption: Areas with lower fixed broadband availability or affordability constraints can show higher reliance on smartphones and cellular plans for internet access, captured indirectly in ACS subscription patterns.

Income, age, and household structure (adoption-related)

ACS and related Census products are the principal public sources for connecting demographics to connectivity at county scale:

• Lower-income households may rely more on smartphones and cellular-only internet subscriptions due to the cost structure of fixed broadband and device ownership patterns.
• Older age profiles can correlate with different device usage patterns and lower adoption of newer devices, though county-level causal attribution requires careful use of Census cross-tabulations and margins of error.

Source for demographic baselines:

• Census demographic profiles and ACS detailed tables on data.census.gov

Limitation: Public county tables can describe correlations (e.g., subscription type by income bands) but do not directly measure “mobile dependency” behaviors such as hotspot use or app-based usage intensity.

Built environment and cross-river metro effects (availability-related)

• Integration with the St. Louis metro typically supports competitive network investment and broader 5G rollout than in isolated rural regions.
• Industrial zones, rail infrastructure, and large-building indoor environments can reduce indoor signal quality without dedicated indoor systems, even where outdoor coverage is reported as available.

Summary of what can be stated with high confidence vs. what is limited

• High-confidence, county-applicable (public, authoritative):
  • Where mobile 4G/5G is reported available: FCC National Broadband Map
  • Household-reported cellular plan and smartphone availability (adoption proxies): data.census.gov (ACS)
• Limited at county scale (not consistently published as official series):
  • True “mobile penetration rate” for individuals, carrier-by-carrier subscriber shares, or official county-level split of actual 4G vs 5G traffic/usage.
  • Detailed device ecosystem shares (OS/vendor), hotspot reliance, and indoor/outdoor performance metrics without third-party measurement studies.

St. Clair County is in southwestern Illinois within the Greater St. Louis metro area, anchored by Belleville and supported by communities such as O’Fallon, East St. Louis, and Shiloh. Its suburban–urban mix, cross‑river commuting ties to St. Louis, and the presence of institutions such as Scott Air Force Base help shape a media environment where mobile-first, locally oriented information and community groups are common patterns of use.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• County-specific social media penetration figures are not published in standard federal datasets. The most reliable way to characterize St. Clair County is by applying well-established U.S. usage benchmarks to its demographic profile.
• U.S. adult social media use: About 7 in 10 U.S. adults (≈70%) use social media, according to the Pew Research Center’s social media use reporting. St. Clair County generally aligns with national patterns typical of large metro-adjacent counties in the Midwest.
• Smartphone access (a key driver of social activity): Nationally high smartphone adoption supports heavy app-based social use; see Pew Research Center’s Mobile Fact Sheet.

Age group trends

National survey results consistently show age as the strongest predictor of platform use intensity and platform choice (used here as the best available proxy for St. Clair County).

• Highest overall use: Adults 18–29 have the highest social media usage and are more likely to use multiple platforms daily.
• Strong participation: Adults 30–49 remain high-usage, especially on platforms oriented toward community, parenting, local commerce, and news sharing.
• Lower but substantial use: Adults 50–64 show broad adoption, with heavier emphasis on Facebook and YouTube.
• Lowest overall use: Adults 65+ use social media at lower rates than younger groups, but still represent a sizable audience, concentrated on Facebook and YouTube.
  Source: Pew Research Center (Social Media Use in 2023/2024 reporting).

Gender breakdown

County-level gender splits by platform are not published in a single official source. Nationally, the pattern is:

• Women tend to have higher usage on Pinterest and are often more represented on Facebook and Instagram in survey breakdowns.
• Men tend to be more represented on platforms such as Reddit and some discussion- and interest-driven communities. These tendencies vary by age and are best interpreted as directional rather than exact county estimates. Source: Pew Research Center platform demographic reporting.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

The most consistently documented “reach” platforms nationally (used as the most reliable proxy set for St. Clair County) include:

• YouTube: used by about 83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: about 68%
• Instagram: about 47%
• Pinterest: about 35%
• TikTok: about 33%
• LinkedIn: about 30%
• X (formerly Twitter): about 22%
• Snapchat: about 27%
• WhatsApp: about 29%
  Source: Pew Research Center (platform usage shares).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Community and local-information use: In metro-adjacent counties such as St. Clair, Facebook remains a primary hub for local groups, school and municipal updates, neighborhood recommendations, and marketplace activity, reflecting its role as a general-purpose local network (consistent with national usage levels and the platform’s group features). Source for broad adoption: Pew Research Center.
• Short-form video growth: TikTok and Instagram Reels contribute to higher passive consumption time and algorithmic discovery behaviors, particularly among younger adults, consistent with national findings on age-skewed adoption. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Video as a default format across ages: YouTube’s broad penetration makes it a cross-generational channel for how-to content, local interest topics, entertainment, and news-adjacent video viewing. Source: Pew Research Center.
• Platform preference by life stage:
  • Younger adults: higher concentration on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, with heavier daily multi-platform use.
  • Midlife adults: heavier mix of Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, plus LinkedIn for professional networking.
  • Older adults: more concentrated use on Facebook and YouTube, with fewer platforms used overall.
    Source: Pew Research Center.
• News and civic information exposure: Social platforms commonly serve as secondary channels for news discovery and discussion; patterns vary by platform and age. Background data on social media and news behaviors: Pew Research Center’s Social Media and News Fact Sheet.

Saint Clair County, Illinois maintains family-related public records primarily through county offices and state systems. Birth and death records are issued by the St. Clair County Clerk (Vital Records), typically as certified copies. Marriage and civil union records are also maintained by the County Clerk, along with indexes used for verification and certified issuance. Adoption records are generally not public; adoption case files are handled through the courts and are restricted under Illinois law.

Associate-related public records commonly used for relationship verification include property ownership and transfers recorded by the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds, and court case information maintained by the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk. Court records may include domestic relations cases, probate matters, and other filings, subject to redaction or sealing.

Public database availability varies. Some offices provide online search portals or record-request instructions via their official pages, while certified vital records typically require an application, identity verification, and fee payment. Records can be accessed in person at the relevant county office, and some services support mail or online ordering as described by each office.

Privacy restrictions apply to vital records (especially recent birth records) and to sealed or expunged court matters; access is limited to eligible requesters or authorized parties.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses and marriage certificates: Issued by the county to authorize a marriage and document that it occurred. Saint Clair County maintains local records for marriages licensed in the county.
• Marriage applications (supporting documentation associated with a license): Typically retained as part of the license record set, depending on record series and retention schedules.

Divorce records

• Divorce decrees / judgments for dissolution of marriage: Final court orders ending a marriage, maintained as part of the civil case file in the Circuit Court.
• Divorce case files: May include the petition/complaint, summons, appearances, orders, parenting allocation/parenting plan, child support orders, property settlement agreements, and related filings.

Annulment records

• Judgments of invalidity (annulments): Annulments are handled as court matters and are maintained in the Circuit Court case records in the same general manner as other domestic relations cases.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records: filing and access

• Filed/maintained by: The Saint Clair County Clerk (vital records function) maintains marriage license records for marriages licensed in Saint Clair County.
• Access methods:
  • Certified copies are obtained through the County Clerk’s office, typically via in-person, mail, or other clerk-authorized request channels.
  • Genealogical/historical copies or indexes may be available for older records, depending on the county’s archival practices and retention.
• State-level alternatives:
  • Illinois maintains statewide marriage and divorce indexes (not a substitute for a certified decree/license) through the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/birth-death-other-records.html.

Divorce and annulment records: filing and access

• Filed/maintained by: The Circuit Clerk of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (St. Clair County) maintains court case records, including divorces and annulments, as part of the domestic relations docket.
• Access methods:
  • Copies of judgments/decrees and other filings are obtained from the Circuit Clerk (in person or through clerk-authorized request processes).
  • Case information (such as docket entries and case numbers) may be available through Illinois court record access systems used by clerks and the state judiciary, subject to redaction and access rules. A statewide access portal used for participating courts is provided by the Illinois Courts system: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/eservices/odyssey/.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/certificate records (typical fields)

• Full names of the parties
• Date the license was issued and date of marriage (return)
• Place of marriage (often municipality/venue)
• Officiant name/title and certification/attestation
• Witnesses (when recorded)
• Ages and/or dates of birth (commonly recorded; exact elements vary by era)
• Residence addresses or county/state of residence (commonly recorded)
• Prior marital status information (commonly recorded)

Divorce decree / judgment and case file (typical contents)

• Names of parties and case number
• Filing date and date of judgment
• Type of action (dissolution of marriage or legal separation) and disposition
• Findings and orders addressing:
  • Allocation of parental responsibilities/parenting time (when applicable)
  • Child support and maintenance (alimony) orders (when applicable)
  • Property division and debt allocation
  • Restoration of former name (when requested and granted)
• Attachments or incorporated agreements (settlement agreements, parenting plans), plus motions and interim orders in the case file

Annulment (judgment of invalidity) records (typical contents)

• Names of parties and case number
• Findings supporting invalidity under Illinois law and the court’s disposition
• Orders related to children, support, or property, when applicable
• Associated pleadings and orders within the domestic relations case file

Privacy or legal restrictions

Marriage records

• Marriage records are generally treated as public vital records, but access to certified copies is typically restricted to eligible requestors under Illinois vital records practices (often the parties to the record and certain others with a direct and tangible interest). Identification and fees are commonly required.
• The county may limit access to certain data elements (such as full dates of birth) in non-certified or publicly viewable formats to reduce identity-theft risk.

Divorce and annulment court records

• Court files are generally presumptively public, but access is limited by:
  • Sealed or impounded case materials by court order
  • Confidential information rules and mandatory redactions, particularly for minors, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain sensitive personal identifiers
  • Restricted records in specific circumstances involving confidentiality protections (for example, certain domestic violence-related addresses or protected information)
• Copies provided by the Circuit Clerk typically reflect required redactions and any sealing orders.

Record status and evidentiary use

• Certified copies issued by the County Clerk (marriage) or Circuit Clerk (divorce/annulment judgments) function as official legal evidence of the event, whereas state indexes provide verification/search assistance but generally do not substitute for certified local records.

Saint Clair County is in southwestern Illinois across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, and includes urbanized communities (notably Belleville, East St. Louis, O’Fallon, and Fairview Heights) as well as smaller towns and rural areas. It is part of the St. Louis metropolitan area, and its population profile reflects a mix of older industrial riverfront communities, growing suburbs, and agricultural land.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

• Public K–12 education is delivered through multiple independent districts rather than a single countywide system. A consolidated countywide count of “public schools” varies by source and year; the most consistent way to enumerate schools is by district rosters published by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and local districts.
• Major public districts serving large portions of the county include:
  • Belleville District 118
  • East St. Louis School District 189
  • O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90 (K–8) and O’Fallon Township High School District 203
  • Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19
  • Cahokia Unit School District 187
  • Dupo Community Unit School District 196
  • Freeburg Community Consolidated School District 70 (K–8) and Freeburg Community High School District 77
  • Lebanon Community Unit School District 9
  • Millstadt Consolidated School District 160 (K–8)
• School-by-school names are available through district directories and state profiles (no single county list is maintained as the authoritative source). The most direct reference for district/school rosters and report cards is the Illinois Report Card.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates vary substantially by district (suburban districts generally report lower ratios and higher graduation rates than some high-poverty districts). The most recent official values are reported at the district and school level through the Illinois Report Card.
• Countywide “graduation rate” is not typically published as a single metric by ISBE; graduation is reported for each high school/district. As a practical proxy for overall educational attainment outcomes, adult education levels from the U.S. Census Bureau (below) provide a stable county-level benchmark.

Adult education levels

• Adult educational attainment is published annually through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The standard county indicators are:
  • Share of adults (age 25+) with at least a high school diploma
  • Share of adults (age 25+) with a bachelor’s degree or higher
• The most current county estimates are available in the ACS 1-year or 5-year tables (depending on data reliability for the county/year). County profiles can be accessed via data.census.gov (search “Saint Clair County, Illinois educational attainment”).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• Advanced coursework and career/technical education in Saint Clair County are generally offered through:
  • High school Advanced Placement (AP), dual credit, and career pathways, which are district-specific and documented in school course catalogs and ISBE program indicators.
  • Regional career and technical education options, often connected to technical centers, community college partnerships, and district CTE pathways (health sciences, manufacturing/skilled trades, IT, transportation/logistics), reflecting the county’s metro labor market.
• Program availability and participation (AP participation, CTE enrollment, dual credit) are reported by district/school on the Illinois Report Card (where reported) and in local district curriculum guides.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Illinois public schools operate under state requirements and district policies for emergency operations planning, visitor management, and student support services; implementation is locally determined and varies by building/district.
• Commonly documented measures across districts in the region include controlled entry procedures, school resource officer (SRO) or police liaison arrangements (more common in larger districts), emergency drills, and threat assessment protocols.
• Counseling resources typically include school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and referral pathways to community mental health providers; staffing levels and service models are district-specific and are most reliably confirmed in district staffing plans and school handbooks.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

• The most recent annual and monthly unemployment rates are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Saint Clair County unemployment fluctuates with metro St. Louis conditions and seasonal patterns.
• Official current figures are accessible through BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) (county series for Saint Clair County, IL).

Major industries and employment sectors

• As part of the St. Louis metro economy, the county’s major employment sectors typically include:
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Educational services
  • Retail trade and accommodation/food services
  • Manufacturing (including legacy industrial activity and specialized production)
  • Transportation and warehousing/logistics (influenced by interstate access and regional freight networks)
  • Public administration and government-related employment
• Sector distributions and counts are available from the ACS “industry” tables on data.census.gov and from BLS regional employment datasets.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

• Common occupational groups (as measured by ACS) generally include:
  • Office and administrative support
  • Sales and related occupations
  • Healthcare practitioners and healthcare support
  • Education, training, and library occupations
  • Production, transportation, and material moving
  • Management and business operations
• The authoritative county occupational breakdown is available in ACS “occupation” tables on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commuting is strongly oriented toward the Illinois-side suburbs and cross-river destinations in Missouri, reflecting the St. Louis labor shed. Typical commuting patterns include:
  • In-county commuting to Belleville/O’Fallon/Fairview Heights employment centers and Scott Air Force Base area activity
  • Out-of-county commuting within the metro (including into adjacent Illinois counties and across the river into Missouri)
• Mean travel time to work and commuting mode splits (drive alone, carpool, transit, walk, work from home) are published by the ACS; the county’s most recent mean commute time is reported in ACS table S0801 and related tables on data.census.gov.

Local employment vs out-of-county work

• A substantial share of residents work outside their county of residence in large metropolitan counties. The most widely used proxy for “local vs out-of-county work” is the Census “Journey to Work”/commuting flow products.
• County-to-county commuting flows and workplace/residence patterns are available through the Census Bureau’s LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

• Owner-occupancy and renter-occupancy rates are reported by the ACS for Saint Clair County. The county generally reflects a mixed tenure pattern: suburban areas tend to have higher owner-occupancy, while older urbanized areas and locations near employment corridors tend to have higher rental shares.
• The most recent owner/renter shares are available via ACS housing tables on data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied housing value (and year-built distributions) are published by the ACS; these values are commonly used as the standard county benchmark.
• Recent market trends (sale price changes) are often tracked by private listing aggregators, but the most consistent public, annually updated median value series is ACS.
• The most current median value estimate and time-series comparisons are available on data.census.gov (search “median value owner-occupied Saint Clair County Illinois”).

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent is reported by the ACS and serves as the standard public benchmark for “typical rent.”
• The county’s latest median gross rent and rent distribution are available on data.census.gov (ACS gross rent tables).

Types of housing

• The housing stock includes:
  • Single-family detached homes dominating many suburban and exurban neighborhoods (O’Fallon/Mascoutah/Freeburg areas)
  • Older single-family homes and small multifamily buildings in legacy urban areas (parts of Belleville and East St. Louis)
  • Garden-style apartments and townhomes near commercial corridors and interstate access (notably around Fairview Heights and major routes)
  • Rural lots and farm-adjacent housing in less dense townships
• Building type shares (single-family, 2–4 unit, 5+ unit, mobile home) are reported by the ACS.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Suburban areas commonly feature planned subdivisions with proximity to schools, parks, and retail nodes; older neighborhoods often have tighter street grids and closer access to civic services but more varied housing conditions.
• Proximity patterns are primarily local (school siting, arterial corridors, and municipal boundaries). School attendance boundaries and school locations are maintained by districts and municipalities rather than at the county level.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

• Illinois property taxes are levied through overlapping taxing districts (school districts are typically the largest share), and effective rates vary substantially by municipality, school district, and assessed value.
• The most reliable public reference for local property tax rates and bills is the county assessment/treasurer reporting. Saint Clair County billing and rate information is available through the St. Clair County Treasurer and assessment information through the St. Clair County Supervisor of Assessments.
• Countywide “average effective property tax rate” is not typically published as a single official value by the county; the standard proxy in comparative datasets is the median property tax paid and/or effective rate derived from ACS (property taxes paid) and assessed/home value distributions, accessible via data.census.gov.