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Bureau Junction, IL

Illinois

Bureau Junction is a small town in Illinois with a population of 279. Residents earn $54,063 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
279 Population 173/sq mi density
$54,063 Median Income $27,868 per capita
$53,700 Home Value
$1,821 Median Rent 24.3% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature 282 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$54,063 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$53,700 home value, $1,821/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,063
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $53,700
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.1%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,821
57% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.4%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.2%
31% higher than US avg

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

People

Population279
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density173/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 76%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,063
Per Capita$27,868
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty16.2%
County GDP$428M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$53,700
Rent$1,821
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units121
Rent Burden24.3%

Health

Obesity39.4%
Uninsured10.5%
Smoking17.6%
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Sunny Days282/yr
Elevation529 ft (161 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.1%
High School+80.6%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 38%
Commute34 min
Broadband88.0%
Libraries6

Is Bureau Junction a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bureau Junction receives an overall livability score of 3.3 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, high obesity rates. Bureau Junction offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bureau Junction is $54,063, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 16.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bureau Junction is $53,700, 81% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,821 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Bureau Junction experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 282 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bureau Junction has a population of 279 with a density of 173 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.6%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

279
Total Population
173
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bureau Junction vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.3%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.7%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bureau Junction vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bureau Junction is $54,063, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Bureau Junction vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,063
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,868
Avg Weekly Wage$1,339
IRS Avg AGI$74,934

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.2%
31% above US avg
Establishments (County)165
County GDP$428M

Business (County)

Restaurants10
Healthcare4
Retail13
Manufacturing9

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,588
31% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate8.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.9 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Bureau Junction is $53,700, 81% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,821 (57% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$53,700
81% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,821
57% above US avg
Rent Burden24.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.1%
Housing Units121
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,588
31% above US avg
Effective Rate8.54%
In Bureau Junction, 39.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.5% of residents lack health insurance. 17.6% are current smokers. 25.4% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bureau Junction vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.4%
23% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.9%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.6%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.5%
Short Sleep38.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Uninsured10.5%
22% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits55.5%
Premature Death7,768/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access37.5%
Healthcare Facilities4
Bureau Junction has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area enjoys 282 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.0°F
6% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days282 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation529 ft (161 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density173/sq mi
Coordinates41.2894°N, 89.3645°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17155
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 6.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.8-point margin. 88.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.5%
D 37.7%

Winner: Republican by 22.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.1%
82% below US avg
High School+80.6%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density173/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities4
Restaurants10
Retail Stores13

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.9 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.6%

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