Godfrey is located in southwestern Illinois in Madison County north of St Louis on Highway 111.

The town is home to Lewis and Clark Community College. The campus houses the Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel, built in 1851 by Monticello College and the Congregational Church. Godfrey also helped establish Alton to the south.

Area recreation includes Rolling Hills Golf Course for those wanting to shoot a round of golf.

The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 17,340, an increase of 1,665 since 1990.