I am Granite City, IL

For the time being, I am the largest city in Madison County, IL, the second largest city in St. Louis' Metro East, and the 69th largest city in the State of Illinois. I was founded in the industrial revolution, and manufacturing of steel products is a major reason why I am still here to tell you about myself!

Here is some information about me:

(This is information overload, but is here for anyone that needs information about Granite City or wants to do a report on their hometown. Please do not cite me as a source, your teacher wouldn't accept myspace as a source anyway, but instead refer to some of the links below, such as a the City Web Site.)
Geography 38°43,,04?N 90°07,,46?W (See Map above for relative location in the United States)
Granite City is located on land that was once part of the Mississippi river bottom and is part of an area noted as the American Bottoms. The Missississippi River is located to the West. To the Southeast is Horseshoe Lake. It is believed that Horseshoe Lake was once part of the Mississippi River.

Granite City is located in the St. Louis Metro Area and is part of an area known as the Metro East. To the south of the Granite City area is the East St. Louis area, to the North is the Alton/Riverbend area, to the East is the Edwardsville area, and also the Collinsville area. To the West is the City of St. Louis as well as some suburbs of North St. Louis County .

Cities and Villages that are Part of the Granite City Area Include:
Granite City
Madison
Mitchell (Unincorporated, but very important!)
Pontoon Beach
Venice
Nicknames:
Granite
G-City
GC WHAT? (Someone has to explain that one to me, I see it a lot on MySpace.)
Granite $#!++y (I don't like that one)
G.C.
The Pittsburgh of the Midwest
The Hub of the Metro East
Steel City
The Planet Granite
Some of my neighborhoods:
Lincoln Place
West Granite
East Granite
North Granite
Downtown
Uptown (Such creative names)
K.P. (Kirkpatrick Homes)
Nameoki
Glenview
Tri City Park
Transportation
Granite City is located near all the major transportation avenues in the St. Louis area. Within 4 miles of the city limits are Interstates 55, 70, and 64, as well as the spur routes of Interstates 255 and 270. Interstate 44 is located only 10 miles away. The McKinley Bridge will provide even faster service to Lambert Airport and Downtown St. Louis via I-70, and will provide new opportunities for the Highway 3 corridor. In the distant future, the New Mississippi River Bridge will be located between Granite City and East St. Louis. Through the Tri City Port, Granite City is a hub for river traffic, and through the Terminal Railroad (actually located in Venice), it is also a hub for rail traffic. I hope that someday, there will once again be talk of Metro Link coming to Madison County.
As you can see, LOCATION is one of our greatest assets with our proximity to St. Louis and all of the major waterways, roadways, and airport. The road system in Granite City is very straightforward and it is difficult to get lost here. Highway 203 is the main thoroughfare through the entire Southwest Madison County Region. Connecting I-270 with I-55/70, you can get a good view of the Granite City area by traveling 203. Highway 3 represents our corridor for potential growth. Within Granite City, Madison Ave. is considered the main street. Other main thoroughfares for the area include: IL 111, IL 162, Broadway (Venice), Mc Cambridge Ave, Madison Rd., Century Dr, Rock Road, Niedringhaus Ave, Edwardsville Rd, Maryville Rd., Johnson Rd., Pontoon Rd, and Chain of Rocks Road.
Population and Demographics
Statistics taken from Official City Web Site
Population: 31,400 (30,593 2006 est.) Density: 1778.6 per sq. mi.
About 67,000 people live in the region of Southwest Madison County
Of the 30,593 in Granite City:
94.7% White (Caucasian)
2.6% Black (African-American)
3.80% Hispanic Ethnicity of any race.
Median Age: 38
Income and Housing
Statistics taken from Official City Web Site
Average Family Income: $48,266
Per-Capita Income: $19,868
Median Home Value: $56,829
Average Rent: $354/mo.
Employment Statistics taken from Official City Web Site
Top Employers:
1. U.S. Steel – Granite City Works – 2,245
2. American Steel Foundries/ Keystone – 1,000
3. Gateway Regional Medical Center – 917
4. Kraft Foods – 705
5. Granite City School District 9 – 700
6. Tri City Port – 600
7. City of Granite City – 255
8. Prarie Farms Dairy – 250
9. Heidtman Steel – 225
10. Lewis and Clark Marine – 205
In Labor force: 15,116
Employed: 13,842
Unemployed: 1,176 (7.8%)
In Armed Forces: 98
Not in Labor force: 9,341
Education
Statistics taken from a variety of Sources (Schools Listed with Enrollment)
Granite City School District 9 (Total Enrollment - 7,352):
Granite City High School (2315)
Coolidge Middle School (956)
Grigsby Middle School (800)
Frohardt Elementary (397)
Maryville Elementary (439)
Mitchell Elementary (490)
Niedringhaus Elementary (465)
Prather Elementary (668)
Wilson Elementary (417)
Worthen Elementary (407)
Parochial Schools – Catholic Diocese of Springfield:
Holy Family – (59 Pre-K, 228 K-8)
Saint Elizabeth – (59 Pre-K, 147 K-8)
Other Schools:
Montessori School
Coordinated Youth
Junior College:
Southwestern Illinois College – Sam Wolf Campus
Government
The City of Granite City is governed by a Mayor-Council System and is a Home Rule Community. The City Council is made up of 14 members representing 7 Wards. The current Mayor is Ed Hagnauer. For a complete list of government officials and for their contact information, please visit the City of Granite City Web Site .
Webmaster's Overview
The above numbers do not lie, our population has been dwindling since the 1970's. The good news is that our cost of living is low, and that housing is very affordable.
The trends of decline have been decreasing. There is a renewed energy in Granite City. It has started at the level of government enacting 'image ordinances' as well as increased enforcement against prostitution and drug activity. The image of the city is noticably different with many of our schools undergoing renovations and a new retail development along Nameoki Road.

There is even more good news on the horizon. The McKinley bridge is opening soon and will provide a quick link to St. Louis and to Lambert Airport. This time there will not be the $.50 tolls! It will connect to highway 3 and will provide more opportunities for growth for the entire area. In the distant future, the New Mississippi River Bridge will also be right in our area.There is still more work to be done. There is little left of the downtown area, but slowly it is rebounding, especially with talk of a four-screen theater coming town; it will definitely bring back memories of the Washington Theater. It's my hope that someday that Granite Citians would be able to stroll the streets of Granite City and enjoy dinner and a movie. Yes, we will always have the image of a blue-collar town. Let's face it, the mill was there before any of us were, and we depend on the steel industry. I say that we need to embrace our heritage, and look upon our city with pride!
A lot of people from the outside put us down, and over the years we have formed an inferiority complex, to the point that some people have no pride left in this city. I for one see the potential that this entire area has! I am here to remind the locals of that potential, and to invite our guests to give us another look! I keep it real, and in the case of Granite City, keeping it real means admitting that this town really does have a lot of potential for future residential, industrial, and retail growth!
Here are The top 10 reasons why I love Granite City:
1. It's prime location in the St. Louis area and proximity to every major road, waterway, and venue.
2. Ease of transportation. It never takes more than 15 minutes to any two points in the GC area. (Yes, I know about the trains, but I also know shortcuts.)
3. Good School System. I don't care what anyone says, GC Schools are still very good. If a student gives his or her best effort, he or she will do just as well going to GCHS as any other High School in the area.
4. The Park District and our town's jewel, Wilson Park. The Park District offers a wide range of activities, and it's a proven fact that people drive in from other places just to walk the trail around the park.
5. Houses of Worship - We can never forget the impact of a church on its community. Our clergy help us find that path to what is truth and the standards by which we should live. There are 50 houses of worship alone in Granite City. Many churches offer outreach services, or have been the lifeblood for social services that are offered in this area. There are also several dinners, bazaars and activities that these churches offer every year. Each event is a wonderful opportunity to meet people in your hometown!
6. Fraternal Organizations and Women's clubs - These organizations not only provide a social outlet for men and women of common interest, but these organizations also contribute to our community. These organizations have donated countless hours and dollars to charitable causes, and have also provided programs for children and have assisted our public and private schools.
7. Plenty of Recreational activities - Rivers Edge and Legacy Golf Courses, YMCA, Bowland, Stopkotte's, Alcohol Free Billiards Club, The Mill Skate Park, Batting Cages, Driving Ranges, In addition to the activities offered by the park, Quad City Soccer Association, the Elks...there is plenty to do in this town!
8. Healthcare - We have a full service hospital with a range of primary care physicians and specialists. We also have a number of dentists, orthodontists, and ocular specialists.
9. Cost of Living - Yes, the median home value appears low, but the houses in Granite City are well constructed (mostly by union hands of course). Many developers are already reaping the benefits of renovating existing properties. The St. Louis region has one of the lowest costs of living, and within the St. Louis region, Granite City has one of the lowest costs of living, and among the lowest property tax rates in Madison County.
10. Full-Time Fire, Police, with Ambulance service featuring people who are minimally trained as paramedics.
Do I have to stop at 10? The Businesses, Summerstage, summer concerts at the park, parades, July 4, the revival of historic Lincoln Place, and number one shoud always be the people! There are so many things going for Granite City.
In a nutshell, there are fancier places you could live and work. The people of Granite City are more straightforward and largely unpretentious. However, these same people would not hesitate to help you in your hour of need. According to the City Web Site, the United Way notes that the people of Granite City are some of the most generous when it comes to giving to charity and responding to needs after a disaster. There are fancier places one could live, but I for one am proud of my hometown, Granite City, IL!
To Learn More About Granite City, IL

Try Some of these Links
Click Here To learn more about the History of Granite City.
Click Here For a Wikipedia profile on Granite City, IL which includes demographics and general information pertaining to Granite City.
Click Here For another profile of Granite City; this one is a little more dated, written in the late 90's.
Important Links
City of Granite City, IL Official Web Site: http://granitecity.illinois.gov
County: Madison County
Schools: Granite City School District 9
Parks: Granite City Park District
Library: Six Mile Regional Library District
Chamber of Commerce: Southwestern Madison County Chamber of Commerce
Township: Granite City Township
Places to talk all things Granite City:
Granite City.com
Granite City Gossip

Layout customized with the MySpaceLayoutSupport.com MySpace Profile Editor
Get your own MySpace Layouts at MySpaceLayoutSupport.com
MySpace Layouts | MySpace Backgrounds | MySpace Codes

MySpace Layouts
MySpace Backgrounds
MySpace Codes