Illinois
Charleston is a small city in Illinois with a population of 17,212. Residents earn $49,057 per year, which is 35% below the national average.
Based on current data, Charleston receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Charleston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Charleston is $49,057, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Charleston is $133,700, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Charleston is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 132 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 482 per 100,000, 75% below the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 34.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.
Charleston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.8 inches, including 19.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 95.1% |
| 21% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 4.9% |
| 63% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $49,057 |
| 35% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $30,375 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,019 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $73,668 |
| Unemployment | 3.8% |
| 6% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% |
| 27% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 1,032 |
| County GDP | $3,509M |
| Restaurants | 124 |
| Healthcare | 157 |
| Retail | 177 |
| Manufacturing | 35 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,336 |
| 52% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.99% |
| Commute Time | 15.1 min |
| Work from Home | 9.1% |
| Census Median | $133,700 |
| 53% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $159,885 |
| Median List Price | $129,250 |
| Median List Price | $129,250 |
| $/Sq Ft | $101 |
| Homes Sold | 10 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 96.9% |
| Price Drops | 22.2% |
| Inventory | 27 |
| Census Median Rent | $819 |
| 30% below US avg |
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
| Owner-Occupied | 46.7% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,336 |
| 52% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.99% |
| Obesity | 40.4% |
| 26% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 10.9% |
| Heart Disease | 6.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.1% |
| Asthma | 11.1% |
| COPD | 7.8% |
| Stroke | 3.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.6% |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.0% |
| Depression | 24.5% |
| Mental Distress | 19.4% |
| Physical Distress | 13.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 94.0% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.4% |
| Premature Death | 9,241/100K |
| Food Environment | 6.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 83.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 157 |
| Total Violent | 131.9/100K |
| 65% below US avg | |
| Murder | 4.6/100K |
| 28% below US avg | |
| Rape | 22.7/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 104.6/100K |
| Total Property | 482.2/100K |
| 75% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 204.7/100K |
| Theft | 268.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 9.1/100K |
| Arson | 4.6/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 7 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 55.1°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 43.8 inches |
| 15% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 19.0 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 697 ft (212 m) |
| Area | 9.1 sq mi (23.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,896/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4838°N, 88.1779°W |
| County FIPS | 17029 |
Winner: Republican by 28.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% |
| 1% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 92.4% |
| School Test Score | 5.34 |
| RUCC Code 5 | Nonmetro — Urban 20K+ |
| Population Density | 1,896/sq mi |
| Total Area | 9.1 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 2 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 3 |
| Public Libraries | 2 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 157 |
| Restaurants | 124 |
| Retail Stores | 177 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 7 |
| Avg Commute | 15.1 min |
| Work from Home | 9.1% |