Grafton is located in southwestern Illinois in
Jersey County northwest of
St Louis along Highway 100 near Swan Lake along the banks of the mouth of the
Illinois River. The natural flyway of the Illinois River Valley attracts American bald eagles, Canada geese and various species of ducks as well as blue herons.
Grafton is only minutes from scenic Pere Marquette State Park and the 24,400-acre Mississippi River SFWA. Other area attractions include the Grafton Flood Festival held in the middle of May, the Great Rivers Towboat Festival held on the last weekend in June and the Olden Days Festival held in the latter part of August.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 890, a decrease of 28 since 1990.
