Belleville, IL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Belleville, IL: What You Need to Know

Belleville is the seat of St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois. It’s one of three cities that host and support the Scott Air Force Base, home to the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

Job Opportunities in Belleville, IL

Belleville was traditionally known for its stove casting industry. From the late 1800s to the 1940s, the city was called the Stove Capital of the World. Today, Scott Air Force Base, nine miles east of Belleville, is the city’s largest employer. The installation is responsible for providing aeromedical evacuation capabilities, flying C-21 operational support airlift, and operating air refueling missions in the KC-135. The base employs more than 15,000 active-duty, civilian, contractors, and Air National Guard and Reserves personnel. Other major employers in Belleville and St. Clair County include Memorial Hospital, Southwestern Illinois College, Empire Comfort Systems, the ROHO Group (manufacturing), TerraSource Global (commercial and industrial equipment), and St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Is Belleville, IL an Affordable Place to Live?

Belleville, IL is considered a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, only 18 miles away. It’s an affordable small city with a cost of living rate that’s 5.8% lower than the national average. Likewise, food and housing costs are 0.3% and 15.1% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent is $779. Illinois collects 4.95% in income tax and 6.25% to 11% in sales tax.

How Big is Belleville, IL?

Belleville has a population of 40,897 and a land area of 22.74 square miles. The city has 21 parks, including a minipark and a dog park, and five trails. There are 29 public schools serving 13,785 students in the city. Neighboring Belleville Township, with virtually the same border as its namesake city, was dissolved in 2017. So now there’s only one Belleville in St. Clair County. 

What Does Belleville Mean?

In French, Belleville means beautiful city. George Blair, a Scottish American who founded the city in 1814, chose the name. He arrived in St. Clair County in the 1790s and became the county sheriff. He donated land for a public square. His donation allowed the government seat of St. Clair County to move to the more centrally located settlement of Belleville. 

Are There Universities in Belleville, IL?

Southwestern Illinois College, a public, two-year institution, is located in Belleville. It offers more than 60 academic programs and serves 8,841 students. Also, the University of Missouri-St. Louis is only 22 miles away. It’s a nationally-ranked public university with an enrolment of 16,441 students. In all, there are 35 colleges and universities within 50 miles of Belleville.