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Bluffs, IL

Illinois

Bluffs is a small town in Illinois with a population of 586. Residents earn $72,917 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
586 Population 658/sq mi density
$72,917 Median Income $39,430 per capita
$78,700 Home Value
$625 Median Rent 15.6% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,917 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,700 home value, $625/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,917
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,700
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.4%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $625
46% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.2%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.3%
49% lower than US avg

How Bluffs Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population586
Median Age48.8 yrs
Density658/mi²
Male / Female60% / 40%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans9.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$72,917
Per Capita$39,430
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty6.3%
County GDP$208M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,700
Rent$625
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units310
Rent Burden15.6%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property866/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary289/100K

Health

Obesity37.2%
Uninsured7.5%
Smoking14.8%
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation473 ft (144 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.4%
High School+94.1%
Graduate+2.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute22 min
Broadband83.8%
Libraries2

Is Bluffs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bluffs receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Bluffs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bluffs is $72,917, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. Only 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bluffs is $78,700, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bluffs is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 866 per 100,000, 56% below the national average.

Education

18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Bluffs experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches, including 20.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bluffs has a population of 586 with a density of 658 people per square mile. The median age is 48.8 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.7%), with 1.2% Black.

Population

586
Total Population
658
People / sq mi
48.8yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 60.4%
Female 39.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Bluffs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.8%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.2%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bluffs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bluffs is $72,917, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Bluffs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,917
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$39,430
Avg Weekly Wage$956
IRS Avg AGI$66,393

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.3%
49% below US avg
Establishments (County)101
County GDP$208M

Business (County)

Restaurants9
Healthcare3
Retail9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,350
4% below US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Drive Alone86.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Bluffs is $78,700, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $625 (46% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,700
72% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$625
46% below US avg
Rent Burden15.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.1%
Housing Units310
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,350
4% below US avg
Effective Rate4.26%
In Bluffs, 37.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.5% of residents lack health insurance. 14.8% are current smokers. 24.4% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bluffs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.2%
16% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.4%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.8%
6% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Uninsured7.5%
13% below US avg
Dentists1:4,790
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits60.4%
Premature Death9,555/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access8.9%
Healthcare Facilities3
Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 866 per 100,000 (56% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bluffs vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property865.8/100K
56% below US avg
Burglary288.6/100K
Theft432.9/100K
Vehicle Theft144.3/100K
Arson144.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Bluffs has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.3°F
1% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall20.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation473 ft (144 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density658/sq mi
Coordinates39.7493°N, 90.5353°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17171
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.2-point margin. 83.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.1%
D 18.9%

Winner: Republican by 61.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.4%
45% below US avg
High School+94.1%
Graduate Degree+2.5%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density658/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.8%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities3
Restaurants9
Retail Stores9

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Drive Alone86.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

Winchester, IL 1,543 pop · 9.3 mi Griggsville, IL 1,272 pop · 10.6 mi Jacksonville, IL 17,490 pop · 16.2 mi South Jacksonville, IL 3,255 pop · 16.9 mi Pittsfield, IL 4,422 pop · 17.9 mi Wilmington, IL 5,507 pop · 18.7 mi Beardstown, IL 6,047 pop · 18.9 mi Roodhouse, IL 1,662 pop · 20.2 mi Mount Sterling, IL 1,949 pop · 20.3 mi Virginia, IL 1,491 pop · 22.2 mi White Hall, IL 2,354 pop · 22.6 mi Rushville, IL 2,668 pop · 25.7 mi Kingston, IL 1,156 pop · 26.6 mi Barry, IL 1,442 pop · 27.1 mi
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