Buncombe, IL

Illinois

Buncombe is a small town in Illinois with a population of 341. Residents earn $62,500 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
341 Population 287/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $25,580 per capita
$65,000 Home Value $168,990 Zillow
57°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 8.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,000 home value
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,500
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.3%
131% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.6%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population341
Median Age26.2 yrs
Density287/mi²
Male / Female61% / 39%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans7.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$62,500
Per Capita$25,580
Unemployment8.3%
Poverty11.6%
County GDP$329M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$168,990
Housing Units129
Rent Burden17.1%

Health

Obesity39.8%
Uninsured8.1%
Smoking15.9%
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F (14°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain50.5 in/yr
Sunny Days299/yr
Elevation507 ft (155 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+89.4%
Graduate+1.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute25 min
Broadband96.0%
Libraries1

Is Buncombe a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buncombe receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Buncombe offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buncombe is $62,500, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.3%, unemployment is notably high. 11.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buncombe is $65,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Buncombe enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 299 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 50.5 inches, including 7.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Buncombe has a population of 341 with a density of 287 people per square mile. The median age is 26.2 years, 33% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.3%), with 9.7% Hispanic.

Population

341
Total Population
287
People / sq mi
26.2yrs
Median Age
33% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 60.7%
Female 39.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Buncombe vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buncombe vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buncombe is $62,500, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Buncombe vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,500
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,580
Avg Weekly Wage$1,130
IRS Avg AGI$62,218

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.3%
131% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.6%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)196
County GDP$329M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare18
Retail33
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,575
31% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.04%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Drive Alone94.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Buncombe is $65,000, 77% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $168,990.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,000
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$168,990

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden17.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.2%
Housing Units129
Median Year Built1962

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,575
31% above US avg
Effective Rate7.04%
In Buncombe, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.9% are current smokers. 24.9% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.9%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress13.3%
Short Sleep38.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.7%
Uninsured8.1%
6% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.4%
Dental Visits56.3%
Premature Death9,591/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access65.9%
Healthcare Facilities18
Buncombe has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.5 inches. The area enjoys 299 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.2°F
6% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.5 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall7.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation507 ft (155 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density287/sq mi
Coordinates37.4711°N, 88.9747°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.3-point margin. 96.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.6%
D 20.3%

Winner: Republican by 58.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.7%
65% below US avg
High School+89.4%
Graduate Degree+1.0%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density287/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants18
Retail Stores33

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Drive Alone94.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Goreville, IL 1,164 pop · 5.8 mi Vienna, IL 2,115 pop · 6.3 mi Anna, IL 4,222 pop · 14.4 mi Cobden, IL 1,064 pop · 15.9 mi Jonesboro, IL 1,912 pop · 16.1 mi Marion, IL 16,796 pop · 18.3 mi Crainville, IL 1,614 pop · 20.1 mi Energy, IL 1,171 pop · 20.9 mi Carterville, IL 5,822 pop · 21.0 mi Carbondale, IL 21,813 pop · 22.1 mi Cambria, IL 1,271 pop · 22.7 mi Herrin, IL 12,271 pop · 22.8 mi Carrier Mills, IL 1,702 pop · 24.2 mi Johnston City, IL 3,351 pop · 24.3 mi
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