Chester, IL

Illinois · Nonmetropolitan · City

2.9 Fair / 5.0
6,830 Population
$74,673 Median Income
$107,800 Home Value
$642 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
154 Violent Crime / 100K
43.5 yrs Median Age
7.8% Bachelor's Degree+
2.9
Overall
4.1
Economy
5.0
Affordability
1.0
Safety
1.6
Education

People

Population6,830
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density1,184/mi²
Male / Female68% / 32%
Largest GroupWhite 71.6%

Economy

4.1/5
Median Income$74,673
Per Capita Income$24,523
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty Rate13.6%
County GDP$1,328M

Housing

5.0/5
Home Value (Census)$107,800
Zillow Value$112,761
Median Rent$642
Ownership RateN/A
HUD Fair Rent (2BR)$1,063

Health

Obesity42.7%
Diabetes13.0%
Depression20.3%
UninsuredN/A
SmokingN/A

Crime

1.0/5
Violent Crime154/100K
Property Crime891/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft11.9/100K

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
Jan / Jul32° / 79°
Rain43 in/yr
Snow4 in/yr
Air QualityAQI 43 (Good)

Education

1.6/5
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+76.4%
Graduate Degree+N/A
School Quality5.34
Libraries (County)2

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute21 min
Work From Home1.4%
BroadbandN/A

How Chester Compares to the U.S. Average

Median Income$74,673
Home Value$107,800
Median Rent$642
Poverty Rate13.6%
Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
Unemployment1.0%
Violent Crime154.4 /100K
Avg Temperature56.4°F

Population & Age

Total Population6,830
Population Density1,184 per sq mi
Median Age43.5 years
Male68.3%
Female31.7%
Male 68.3%
Female 31.7%

Race & Ethnicity

White 71.6% Black 25.7% Hispanic 0.7% Other 2%
White71.6%
Black or African American25.7%
Hispanic or Latino0.7%
Asian0.0%
Other Races2.0%

Language

English Only95.4%
Spanish Speakers4.6%
English 95.4% Spanish 4.6%

Social Characteristics

Disability26.7%
Health Insurance91.9%

Income

Near national avg
Median Household Income$74,673
Per Capita Income$24,523
Avg Weekly Wage (County)$962
IRS Avg Adjusted Gross Income$61,028

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment Rate1.0%
Poverty Rate13.6%
Total Establishments (County)580
County GDP$1,328M

Business & Industry (County)

Restaurants & Accommodation41
Healthcare Facilities63
Retail Stores76
Manufacturing39
Total Establishments580

Industry Mix

Restaurants 41 Healthcare 63 Retail 76 Manufacturing 39

Tax & Cost of Living

IRS Avg AGI$61,028
Avg Property Tax Paid$2,394

Commute & Transportation

Mean Commute Time20.7 min
Work From Home1.4%

Walkability & Transit Scores

Home Values

62% below avg
Median Home Value (Census)$107,800
Zillow Home Value Index$112,761

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Ownership & Housing Stock

Owner-Occupied71.0%

Rental Costs

45% below avg
Median Rent (Census)$642

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY2026)

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

Property Tax

Avg Property Tax Paid (IRS)$2,394
Effective Tax Rate (est.)2.22%

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
Diabetes13.0%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure38.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity29.6%
Depression20.3%
Mental Distress (14+ days)19.2%
Physical Distress (14+ days)15.0%

Healthcare Access

Health Insurance Coverage91.9%
Regular Checkup74.5%
Premature Death Rate8,592 per 100K

Food & Exercise Access

Food Environment Index8.0 / 10
Exercise Access48.7%
Healthcare Facilities (County)63
Restaurants (County)41

Violent Crime (per 100,000)

Total Violent Crime154.4 /100K
Murder & Manslaughter0.0 /100K
Rape35.6 /100K
Robbery0.0 /100K
Aggravated Assault118.8 /100K

Property Crime (per 100,000)

Total Property Crime891.0 /100K
Burglary118.8 /100K
Larceny/Theft760.3 /100K
Motor Vehicle Theft11.9 /100K
Arson11.9 per 100K

Traffic & Disaster Safety

Fatal Vehicle Crashes (County, 2022)4

Temperature

32°F Jan 79°F Jul
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Annual Average56.4°F

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Precipitation42.8 in
Annual Snowfall4.3 inches

Air Quality (EPA)

AQI Median43.0
AQI CategoryGood

Geography & Location

Elevation568 ft (173 m)
Land Area5.8 sq mi (14.9 km²)
Population Density1,184 per sq mi
Latitude37.9258°
Longitude-89.8277°
County FIPS29157

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.3%
D 17.9%

Republican +63.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
High School+76.4%
School Test Score (SEDA)5.34

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban pop 2.5K–19.9K, adjacent
Population Density1,184 per sq mi
Land Area5.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Alt Fuel Stations (all types)1
Public Libraries (County)2

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Vehicle Crashes (County)4

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