The population was 27,549 at the 2020 census,[3] making it the third-largest city in the Metro East and Southern Illinois regions, behind Belleville and O'Fallon.

Officially founded in 1896, Granite City was named by the Niedringhaus brothers, William and Frederick, who established it as a steel making company town for the manufacture of graniteware kitchen utensils.

In the early 19th century, settlers began to farm the rich fertile grounds to the east of St. Louis.

[6] In the 1870s, William discovered an enamelware process in Europe whereby metal utensils could be coated with enamel to make them lighter and more resistant to oxidation.

The brothers opened the Granite Iron Rolling Mills in St. Louis to provide tin (imported from Wales) to its prospering kitchen supplies manufacturer.

During his one term in the 51st Congress, he successfully urged the passage of a new tariff of 50 percent of value on imported iron and tin.

As well, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis planned to tax coal crossing the Mississippi River into Missouri.

[9] This land extended from the Mississippi River across the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad tracks for their new Granite City.

Unlike Pullman, however, they did not exert major control over the day-to-day lives of their employees and left the government of the city up to the residents.

Henry Fossiek was hired as the first policeman, a School Board of Directors was appointed by the Mayor, four schools opened, the 1st Church of the Concordian Lutheran Church was built, Stamping Company changed its name to National Enameling & Stamping Company (NESCO), and lots were sold for a new subdivision to be named 'Granite Park' (More commonly known as West Granite, today).

In 1906, ten thousand persons emigrated to Granite City from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Hungary and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, during a two-year period.

Since then, they have kept a church and community center, along with the Granite City "Antranig" Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation.

Mayor Donald Partney acknowledged that the city was commonly understood to have a sundown ordinance but denied that it was official.

[citation needed] In July 2018, President Donald Trump visited the city to deliver a speech about industry growth at the U.S Steel plant.

[citation needed] A 2024 investigation into 17 coke burning facilities in the US estimated that the SunCoke Energy plant in Granite City could be responsible for 6-11 premature deaths, increased asthma symptoms, and other health impacts for residents every year.

[13] Granite City is located at 38°43′4″N 90°7′46″W / 38.71778°N 90.12944°W / 38.71778; -90.12944 (38.717849, -90.129529),[14] adjacent to the Chain of Rocks Canal on the Upper Mississippi River, bordering Horseshoe Lake on its southeastern side.

Route 3 is a major thoroughfare along the western edge of the city and provides access to downtown St. Louis across the recently renovated McKinley Bridge.

Wilson Park is sometimes called the "heart" of Granite City and is known for its nicely kept "turn of the [20th] century" homes.

East Granite is less defined, but is mostly modern residential subdivisions as well as both St. Elizabeth and Holy Family Catholic Schools.

Downtown Granite suffered a downturn in the 1970s, which vacated much of its commercial buildings and in turn, urban decay began.

West Granite contains both industrial and lower income residential areas and has been struggling to fight its above average crime rate.

By 1916 the multi-national residents of Hungary Hollow applied for and were granted an official name change to Lincoln Place.

The Park District offers baseball, flag football, tennis, soccer, basketball, and hockey programs for the youth.

The park provides a place for picnicking, cycling, fishing, wildlife viewing, and small boating.

In addition, the Warrior wrestling team were co-champions in 1965 and currently have more dual meet victories than any other high school in the country.

Alternative schools include the Coordinated Youth on Madison Avenue next to the Gateway Regional Medical Center and attached to the same building as the WIC Service.