Illinois · Metropolitan Area
Buffalo Grove is a mid-size city in Illinois with a population of 42,824. Residents earn $129,820 per year, which is 73% above the national average.
Based on current data, Buffalo Grove receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Buffalo Grove stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Buffalo Grove is $129,820, which is significantly higher than the national average — 73% above $75,149. This places Buffalo Grove among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 5.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.
The median home value in Buffalo Grove is $392,900, 39% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $2,042 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Buffalo Grove is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 24 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 686 per 100,000, 65% below the national average.
Buffalo Grove is a highly educated community — 66.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.
Buffalo Grove experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 55.3% |
| 30% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 44.7% |
| 234% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $129,820 |
| 73% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $60,111 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,751 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $143,679 |
| Unemployment | 1.7% |
| 53% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% |
| 57% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 19,967 |
| County GDP | $82,869M |
| Restaurants | 1,607 |
| Healthcare | 2,211 |
| Retail | 2,099 |
| Manufacturing | 811 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $13,960 |
| 299% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.55% |
| Commute Time | 27.5 min |
| Work from Home | 28.5% |
| Census Median | $392,900 |
| 39% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $429,066 |
| Median List Price | $420,000 |
| Median List Price | $420,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $227 |
| Homes Sold | 23 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 98.7% |
| Price Drops | 19.2% |
| Inventory | 73 |
| Census Median Rent | $2,042 |
| 76% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $2,181 |
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
| Owner-Occupied | 81.5% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $13,960 |
| 299% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.55% |
| Obesity | 25.2% |
| 21% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.8% |
| Heart Disease | 3.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 25.3% |
| Asthma | 8.4% |
| COPD | 3.6% |
| Stroke | 2.0% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.8% |
| Physical Inactivity | 14.9% |
| Depression | 17.7% |
| Mental Distress | 12.7% |
| Physical Distress | 8.2% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.7% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.3% |
| Premature Death | 5,610/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.2% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,211 |
| Total Violent | 23.9/100K |
| 94% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 7.2/100K |
| Robbery | 4.8/100K |
| Assault | 12.0/100K |
| Total Property | 686.0/100K |
| 65% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 98.0/100K |
| Theft | 583.2/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 4.8/100K |
| Arson | 2.4/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 55 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 32.3 inches |
| 15% below US avg |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 689 ft (210 m) |
| Area | 9.6 sq mi (24.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,475/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.1660°N, 87.9618°W |
| County FIPS | 17097 |
Winner: Democrat by 20.8 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 66.6% |
| 98% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 96.8% |
| School Test Score | 5.34 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 4,475/sq mi |
| Total Area | 9.6 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 9 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 12 |
| Public Libraries | 25 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 2,211 |
| Restaurants | 1,607 |
| Retail Stores | 2,099 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 55 |
| Avg Commute | 27.5 min |
| Work from Home | 28.5% |