Godfrey, Illinois 2025

Godfrey is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States.

The population is 17,970 according to the 2020 census. Godfrey is located near the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway, which passes through the village. This byway meets the Alton, Grafton, Calhoun and Jersey County, Illinois rivers.

Godfrey is part of the Metro-East region, located within the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Buildings in Godfrey, such as the original farmhouse at the Michael L. Slade Hair farm, date back to 1840. Godfrey was named by a German immigrant, Dr. Julius H. Stiebel, who named it in honor of his great-uncle, Godfrey Stiebel. Godfrey became a village in 1997.

In the 1990s, the village became the focus of controversy within the St. Louis metropolitan area when it refused to annex nearby Harristown, the last remaining unincorporated area of Madison County.

Godfrey has grown rapidly since the 1990s, with the completion of the new Illinois Route 332 and a new interchange on Interstate 270.

In 2008, the village annexed a new area to the south that included a new tract of land that had not been farm ground and an abandoned railroad line that ran parallel to the Clark Bridge, part of U.S. Route 67.

Today, Godfrey is a vibrant community with a mix of agriculture, commercial and residential areas. The village is known for its festivals, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as its historic buildings and landmarks.

One of the most notable landmarks in Godfrey is the Godfrey Mound, a Native American mound built by the prehistoric Mississippian culture. The mound is located in the southeast part of the village and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mound is thought to date back to around 700 AD and is one of the largest prehistoric earthworks in the region.

The village also has a strong agricultural heritage. The area is known for its corn and soybean farms, and there are several farmers' markets held throughout the year. There are also several historic farm houses and barns in the area, including the 19th-century Slade House, which is now a museum.

Godfrey has a range of housing options, from single-family homes and apartments to rural farms and estates. Property prices vary, but overall, the area has a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Godfrey is served by the Alton Community Unit School District # 11. The district has several schools, including Alton High School, Alton Middle School, and East Alton-Wood River High School. The district offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs, including sports, music, and art.

Godfrey also has a range of dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining. Some popular local eateries include The Cork & Kettle, which serves classic American cuisine and has a wine shop and tasting room, and Joe's Pizza & Pasta House, which has been serving up classic Italian dishes for over 30 years. The village also has several bars and taverns, as well as a brewery, the Old Bakery Beer Company, which produces a range of craft beers.

In summary, Godfrey is a vibrant and growing community with a strong sense of history and tradition. The village offers a range of attractions and activities, from festivals and outdoor recreation to agricultural heritage and historic landmarks. It is a great place to live, work and visit, with a mix of agriculture, commerce and residential areas, as well as affordable housing options and a range of dining and entertainment options.