Looking for a suburb that blends a true Main Street feel with newer homes and room to grow? If Frankfort is on your shortlist, you’re likely weighing charm, commute, schools, and value. This guide gives you a clear look at daily life, housing options, price ranges, and the details that matter when you move. You’ll see how historic downtown and modern subdivisions fit together so you can decide if Frankfort is a match. Let’s dive in.
Frankfort at a glance
- Population: About 21,160 residents as of 2024, with a high owner-occupancy rate near 94.7 percent and a median owner-occupied home value around $461,600. These figures come from Census QuickFacts and show a stable, owner-heavy market. Review the latest Census snapshot.
- Income: Median household income sits near $153,700, reflecting an affluent base of homeowners. See the same Census source above for current figures.
- Location and commute: Frankfort is roughly 28 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The mean travel time to work is about 33 minutes, which fits the bedroom-suburb profile for jobs around the southwest metro area. Census QuickFacts is the best place to check the commute stat.
Historic downtown highlights
Frankfort’s historic core centers on Breidert Green, with brick storefronts, local dining, and the Old Plank Road Trail running right through town. You’ll also spot the old Grainery landmark and the Frankfort Area Historical Society museum nearby. The village programs concerts, seasonal markets, and holiday events that keep the area active year-round. Get a feel for the setting on the Village’s Historic Downtown page.
From spring through fall, the Frankfort Country Market brings growers and makers to Breidert Green with an easy stroll-and-shop flow. The market continues to evolve with improved parking and layout, which makes downtown visits simple for families and visitors. Read more about recent updates in this local Country Market overview. If you love local history, the Frankfort Historical Society offers exhibits and events that showcase how the village grew from its 19th‑century roots.
New homes and subdivisions
Beyond Old Town, Frankfort opens up into planned neighborhoods with a wide range of home styles and sizes. You’ll find townhomes, traditional two-story plans, spacious ranches, and custom homes on larger lots. Well-known areas that often appear in listings include Lighthouse Pointe, Prestwick, Timbers Edge and Timbers Pointe, Stone Creek, Brookside Glen, and Lakeview Estates.
Architecturally, older homes near downtown trend smaller and include early 20th-century styles along with mid-century ranches. Newer subdivisions from the 2000s forward often deliver larger footprints, open-concept layouts, and more recent systems and finishes. This split gives you a clear choice between classic character near Breidert Green and modern space a short drive away.
Home prices and inventory
Market dashboards often report different numbers, so treat any single figure as a snapshot in time. Recent summaries show typical Frankfort values in the high 400s to high 500s, depending on the source and date. What matters most on the ground is tier and neighborhood.
- Entry options: Attached homes or smaller, older single-family properties can appear in the low to mid 300s at times, especially in areas like Frankfort Square.
- Mid to upper tiers: Many single-family homes in newer subdivisions list between about $400,000 and $800,000, with size, lot, and finish driving price.
- Higher-end: Custom and waterfront properties, along with golf-course settings near places like Prestwick, can exceed $800,000 and reach $1M+.
Inventory has been selective, and days on market vary by neighborhood. In late 2025 and early 2026, samples showed roughly 47 to 51 days on market in some areas. Prices and pace can shift quickly, so plan to verify current numbers before you write an offer or set a list price.
Schools and districts
Public elementary and middle school coverage is primarily split between Frankfort Community Consolidated School District 157C and Summit Hill School District 161. High school students are served by Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, with Lincoln-Way East located in Frankfort. Because attendance boundaries can split neighborhoods, always confirm the assigned schools directly with the district.
- Explore District 157C information using this district listing overview.
- Learn more about the high school system at the Lincoln-Way District 210 site.
- A recent local report placed District 157C enrollment around 2,600 to 2,700 students in 2023–24. See the enrollment coverage for context.
For current performance data and programs, check the district websites and the Illinois Report Card before you decide.
Commute and transportation
Frankfort is an auto-oriented suburb with solid regional access. US‑45, also called La Grange Road, runs north to south, and US‑30, or Lincoln Highway, runs east to west through town. These routes connect to I‑80, I‑355, and I‑57 for broader commuting. See the Frankfort overview for additional context.
Frankfort does not have its own Metra station. Many commuters drive to nearby Rock Island District stops, such as Hickory Creek in Mokena or Tinley Park–80th Avenue, depending on location and line preference. You can preview one of the closest options at the Hickory Creek station page. With a mean commute near 33 minutes, plan your timing around rush-hour traffic and parking needs.
Parks, trails, and events
If you enjoy the outdoors, you will appreciate the Old Plank Road Trail, a paved rail-trail that cuts through the heart of town. Breidert Green and Prairie Park add green space and gathering spots in and around downtown. The Frankfort Park District runs programs, leagues, and special events across local parks and facilities.
Seasonal highlights include the Frankfort Country Market, concerts on the green, classic car nights, fall festivities, and winter holiday programming. These events add rhythm to the year and make it easy to meet neighbors and explore local shops and dining. For schedules and event details, cross-check the village and park district calendars.
Who chooses Frankfort
Frankfort tends to draw a mix of buyers who want both small-town charm and newer housing choices. First-time buyers often look at attached homes or smaller single-family properties in the lower price tiers. Many move-up buyers target the $400,000 to $800,000 range for larger lots and more space. Relocation and executive buyers often focus on custom or golf-course homes that can exceed $800,000.
Household patterns support these trends. A significant share of households include children, and average household sizes are above three, according to recent summaries. Those factors, paired with stable owner occupancy, help explain the steady demand across the mid and upper price bands. See the Frankfort overview for context on household makeup.
Start your home search
Use this quick plan to move forward with confidence:
- Clarify your must-haves: size, layout, lot type, commute goals, and budget.
- Tour both sides of town: walk Old Town near Breidert Green, then drive a few key subdivisions for a style contrast.
- Test your commute: drive to a nearby Metra station or your highway route during rush hour.
- Verify school boundaries: confirm assignments directly with District 157C, District 161, and District 210.
- Watch the market weekly: selective inventory rewards buyers who are pre-approved and ready to act.
If you want a local guide who knows the blocks, models, and price history, reach out. Whether you are comparing neighborhoods, prepping to list, or relocating, our team can help you plan the next step.
Ready to zero in on the right fit in Frankfort? Connect with Niki Rocco for a one-on-one consult or to request a Free Home Valuation.
FAQs
Is Frankfort more historic or new?
- Both. A compact historic downtown around Breidert Green offers events, shops, and the Old Plank Road Trail, while the wider village features many newer subdivisions with modern homes.
What are typical home prices in Frankfort?
- Recent snapshots place typical values from the high 400s to high 500s depending on the source and date, with broad tiers from the low-to-mid 300s up to $1M+ for custom and golf-course homes.
How are schools organized in Frankfort?
- Elementary and middle schools are primarily in District 157C and Summit Hill District 161, with high school in Lincoln-Way District 210; always confirm boundaries with the districts.
Can I commute to Chicago by train from Frankfort?
- There is no in-town Metra stop; many residents drive to nearby Rock Island District stations like Hickory Creek in Mokena or Tinley Park–80th Avenue.
What is downtown Frankfort like day to day?
- It is a walkable core with Breidert Green as the hub, regular village events, the Country Market, and direct access to the Old Plank Road Trail.
What parks and trails will I find in Frankfort?
- The Old Plank Road Trail runs through town, with Prairie Park and other green spaces supported by the Frankfort Park District’s programs and events.
