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Brussels, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Brussels is a small town in Illinois with a population of 136. Residents earn $56,250 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
136 Population 243/sq mi density
$56,250 Median Income $28,890 per capita
$126,300 Home Value $192,256 Zillow
$1,075 Median Rent 25.7% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$56,250 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$126,300 home value, $1,075/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,250
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $126,300
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.8%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,075
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.4%
56% higher than US avg

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

People

Population136
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density243/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 77%
Veterans99.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,250
Per Capita$28,890
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty19.4%
County GDP$26,419M
Commute43 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$126,300
Rent$1,075
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$192,256
Housing Units69
Rent Burden25.7%

Health

Obesity30.7%
Uninsured5.8%
Smoking10.5%
Depression20.2%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.7 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation517 ft (158 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.8%
High School+92.6%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute43 min
Broadband45.0%
Libraries11

Is Brussels a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brussels receives an overall livability score of 3.6 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 an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Brussels offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brussels is $56,250, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 19.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brussels is $126,300, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,075 per month. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Brussels enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.7 inches, including 9.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Brussels has a population of 136 with a density of 243 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76.5%), with 21.3% Black.

Population

136
Total Population
243
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Brussels vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brussels vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brussels is $56,250, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 43 minutes.

Income: Brussels vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,250
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,890
Avg Weekly Wage$1,156
IRS Avg AGI$93,968

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.4%
56% above US avg
Establishments (County)10,945
County GDP$26,419M

Business (County)

Restaurants848
Healthcare1,250
Retail1,071
Manufacturing220

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,024
44% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.9 min
Drive Alone78.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Brussels is $126,300, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,075 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $192,256.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$126,300
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$192,256

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,075
8% below US avg
Rent Burden25.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.7%
Housing Units69
Median Year Built1954

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,024
44% above US avg
Effective Rate3.98%
In Brussels, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.8% of residents lack health insurance. 10.5% are current smokers. 20.2% report depression. 16.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure26.6%
Asthma9.1%
COPD4.8%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking10.5%
25% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity16.6%
Depression20.2%
Mental Distress15.0%
Physical Distress10.1%
Short Sleep30.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Uninsured5.8%
33% below US avg
Primary Care1:2,135
Dentists1:1,533
Mental Health1:425
Checkup Rate69.2%
Dental Visits61.2%
Premature Death6,250/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access87.4%
Healthcare Facilities1,250
Brussels has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.7 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.5°F
3% above US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.7 inches
20% above US avg
Snowfall9.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation517 ft (158 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density243/sq mi
Coordinates38.9485°N, 90.5890°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS29183
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17-point margin. 45.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.8%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 17 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.8%
53% below US avg
High School+92.6%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density243/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access45.0%
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities1,250
Restaurants848
Retail Stores1,071

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute42.9 min
Drive Alone78.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

Winfield, MO 1,726 pop · 8.7 mi O'Fallon, MO 92,697 pop · 11.2 mi Cottleville, MO 5,750 pop · 14.4 mi Dardenne Prairie, MO 13,137 pop · 14.5 mi Bridgeton, MO 11,372 pop · 15.8 mi Lake St. Louis, MO 17,538 pop · 15.8 mi Hazelwood, MO 25,214 pop · 17.0 mi Wentzville, MO 45,734 pop · 17.1 mi Weldon Spring, MO 5,291 pop · 17.1 mi Moscow Mills, MO 3,647 pop · 17.7 mi Florissant, MO 51,915 pop · 18.1 mi Old Jamestown, MO 21,121 pop · 18.1 mi Elsberry, MO 2,010 pop · 18.3 mi Jerseyville, IL 7,432 pop · 18.3 mi
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