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Bluford, IL

Illinois

Bluford is a small town in Illinois with a population of 569. Residents earn $58,500 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
569 Population 358/sq mi density
$58,500 Median Income $26,724 per capita
$92,200 Home Value
$810 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$58,500 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,200 home value, $810/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,500
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,200
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.9%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $810
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.8%
27% higher than US avg

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

People

Population569
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density358/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans7.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$58,500
Per Capita$26,724
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty15.8%
County GDP$2,434M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,200
Rent$810
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units259
Rent Burden26.3%

Health

Obesity40.5%
Uninsured10.0%
Smoking19.8%
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation526 ft (160 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.9%
High School+91.1%
Graduate+3.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute28 min
Broadband81.6%
Libraries1

Is Bluford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bluford receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bluford offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bluford is $58,500, 22% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bluford is $92,200, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $810 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Bluford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 10.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bluford has a population of 569 with a density of 358 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.5%), with 10.7% Hispanic.

Population

569
Total Population
358
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45%
Female 55%

Race & Ethnicity

Bluford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bluford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bluford is $58,500, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Bluford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,500
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,724
Avg Weekly Wage$1,112
IRS Avg AGI$62,900

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.8%
27% above US avg
Establishments (County)858
County GDP$2,434M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare131
Retail146
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,198
49% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.8 min
Drive Alone74.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Bluford is $92,200, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $810 (30% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,200
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$810
30% below US avg
Rent Burden26.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.1%
Housing Units259
Median Year Built1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,198
49% above US avg
Effective Rate5.64%
In Bluford, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.0% of residents lack health insurance. 19.8% are current smokers. 25.8% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes11.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.0%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.9%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.8%
41% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.4%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.1%
Short Sleep38.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Uninsured10.0%
16% above US avg
Checkup Rate74.2%
Dental Visits56.8%
Premature Death10,089/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access49.1%
Healthcare Facilities131
Bluford has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall10.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation526 ft (160 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density358/sq mi
Coordinates38.3261°N, 88.7348°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17081
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.8-point margin. 81.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.3%
D 25.5%

Winner: Republican by 47.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.9%
74% below US avg
High School+91.1%
Graduate Degree+3.8%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density358/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.6%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities131
Restaurants86
Retail Stores146

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.8 min
Drive Alone74.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

Wayne City, IL 1,050 pop · 8.0 mi Mount Vernon, IL 14,492 pop · 9.9 mi Ina, IL 1,600 pop · 15.2 mi McLeansboro, IL 2,750 pop · 19.5 mi Fairfield, IL 4,658 pop · 20.0 mi Sesser, IL 1,919 pop · 23.7 mi Benton, IL 7,076 pop · 23.8 mi Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 24.1 mi Centralia, IL 12,009 pop · 25.0 mi Central City, IL 1,123 pop · 26.3 mi Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 27.4 mi Christopher, IL 2,413 pop · 30.0 mi West Frankfort, IL 7,156 pop · 31.3 mi Norris City, IL 1,613 pop · 32.6 mi
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