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Brownstown, IL

Illinois

Brownstown is a small town in Illinois with a population of 592. Residents earn $59,688 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
592 Population 779/sq mi density
$59,688 Median Income $28,894 per capita
$75,000 Home Value $163,092 Zillow
$817 Median Rent 31.6% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$59,688 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,000 home value, $817/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,688
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,000
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.9%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $817
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.7%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population592
Median Age34.0 yrs
Density779/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans3.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,688
Per Capita$28,894
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty14.7%
County GDP$1,758M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,000
Rent$817
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$163,092
Housing Units287
Rent Burden31.6%

Health

Obesity38.1%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking16.1%
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.2 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation594 ft (181 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.9%
High School+92.1%
Graduate+2.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute16 min
Broadband82.9%
Libraries4

Is Brownstown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brownstown receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Brownstown offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brownstown is $59,688, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. 14.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brownstown is $75,000, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $817 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x 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%. 92.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Brownstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 29°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 41.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Brownstown has a population of 592 with a density of 779 people per square mile. The median age is 34.0 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.8%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

592
Total Population
779
People / sq mi
34.0yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Brownstown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brownstown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brownstown is $59,688, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Brownstown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,688
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,894
Avg Weekly Wage$947
IRS Avg AGI$60,886

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.7%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)796
County GDP$1,758M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare114
Retail121
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.3 min
Drive Alone75.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Brownstown is $75,000, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $817 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $163,092.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,000
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$163,092

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$817
30% below US avg
Rent Burden31.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.8%
Housing Units287
Median Year Built1953

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Effective Rate6.03%
In Brownstown, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 16.1% are current smokers. 24.6% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.1%
15% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress13.2%
Short Sleep39.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits55.2%
Premature Death12,320/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access66.6%
Healthcare Facilities114
Brownstown has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.2 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.6°F
1% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.2 inches
8% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation594 ft (181 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density779/sq mi
Coordinates38.9942°N, 88.9553°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17121
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 49.5-point margin. 82.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.1%
D 24.6%

Winner: Republican by 49.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.9%
74% below US avg
High School+92.1%
Graduate Degree+2.0%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density779/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.9%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities114
Restaurants86
Retail Stores121

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.3 min
Drive Alone75.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.7%

Nearby Cities

St. Elmo, IL 1,401 pop · 5.9 mi Vandalia, IL 6,041 pop · 8.5 mi Altamont, IL 2,500 pop · 12.0 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 23.4 mi Greenville, IL 7,159 pop · 24.5 mi Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 25.3 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 27.2 mi Nokomis, IL 2,213 pop · 27.6 mi Pana, IL 5,277 pop · 28.6 mi Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 28.7 mi Shelbyville, IL 4,248 pop · 29.9 mi Hillsboro, IL 5,693 pop · 30.5 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 31.1 mi Central City, IL 1,123 pop · 32.2 mi
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