Living in Frankfort

The Frankfort Experience

Frankfort is what happens when a community decides to grow thoughtfully rather than explosively. While neighboring villages added subdivisions as fast as they could pour foundations, Frankfort maintained stricter development standards, preserving green space and architectural character. The result is a village that feels established and intentional rather than sprawling.

The historic downtown, centered on Kansas Street, is the village's calling card. Independent boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, and specialty shops line streets shaded by mature trees. It's the kind of walkable downtown that real estate developers spend millions trying to replicate in newer communities, but Frankfort's version is the genuine article, maintained by generations of merchants and residents who care about keeping it authentic.

Neighborhoods and Subdivisions

• Prestwick Country Club - Golf course community with estate-sized homes, the village's most prestigious address
• Founders Pointe - Newer luxury subdivision with custom homes and spacious lots
• Old Frankfort - Charming historic homes near downtown, walkable to shops and restaurants
• Frankfort Square - More affordable area on the eastern edge, still within Lincoln-Way schools

Schools: Lincoln-Way Excellence

Frankfort falls squarely within the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, consistently ranked among the best in Illinois. Lincoln-Way East primarily serves Frankfort students, offering extensive AP and honors coursework, nationally competitive athletic programs, and outstanding performing arts. The college placement statistics speak for themselves: over 90% of graduates attend four-year institutions.

Elementary students attend schools in Frankfort School District 157-C and Summit Hill District 161, both of which maintain standards that match the high school's reputation. Private school options, including St. Anthony Parish School, provide additional choices.

Real Estate

Frankfort is Will County's premium market. Median home prices range from $400,000 to $550,000, with Prestwick and other luxury neighborhoods pushing well above that. You're paying for the school district, the character, and the community's commitment to maintaining property values through strict zoning and design standards. It's not the cheapest option in Will County, but residents generally consider the premium well spent.

The market includes everything from renovated historic homes downtown to new-construction estates on the village's edges. Entry-level options exist in Frankfort Square, where townhomes and smaller single-family homes bring prices closer to the $300,000 mark.

Community Events

Frankfort takes its events seriously. The Frankfort Fall Festival, held each September, is the village's signature event and one of the largest in the region, featuring carnival rides, live music, craft vendors, and a parade down Kansas Street. The Frankfort Country Market runs every Sunday morning through the summer with local produce, prepared foods, and artisan goods. Concerts in the Park bring families to Breidert Green throughout warm months.

Commuting

Frankfort residents typically use the Hickory Creek Metra station on the SouthWest Service line, located nearby. The ride to LaSalle Street Station takes about 50-55 minutes. Highway access includes I-80 to the north and I-57 to the east. The commute to downtown Chicago by car is roughly 45-55 minutes outside of rush hour. Many Frankfort residents also work in the Joliet, Orland Park, or south suburban employment corridors, which are much shorter drives.