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Como, IL

Illinois · Whiteside County

Como is a small town in Illinois with a population of 581. Residents earn $59,417 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
581 Population 543/sq mi density
$59,417 Median Income $24,959 per capita
$154,000 Home Value
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$59,417 median income, 7.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$154,000 home value
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,417
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $154,000
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.8%
65% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.1%
97% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.6%
74% higher than US avg

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

People

Population581
Median Age37.7 yrs
Density543/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 63%
Veterans11.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$59,417
Per Capita$24,959
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty21.6%
County GDP$2,978M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$154,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units201
Rent Burden28.9%

Health

Obesity35.7%
Uninsured9.0%
Smoking14.4%
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.3 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation633 ft (193 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+89.5%
Graduate+6.4%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute17 min
Broadband87.6%
Libraries6

Is Como a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Como receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Como offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Como is $59,417, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 21.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Como is $154,000, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Como experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.3 inches, including 31.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Como has a population of 581 with a density of 543 people per square mile. The median age is 37.7 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (62.5%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 5.7% Black.

Population

581
Total Population
543
People / sq mi
37.7yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Como vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.4%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.6%
6% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Como vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Como is $59,417, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Como vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,417
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,959
Avg Weekly Wage$1,042
IRS Avg AGI$64,591

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.1%
97% above US avg
Poverty Rate21.6%
74% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,185
County GDP$2,978M

Business (County)

Restaurants132
Healthcare107
Retail167
Manufacturing77

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.6 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit5.6%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Como is $154,000, 45% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$154,000
45% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden28.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.1%
Housing Units201
Median Year Built1966

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Effective Rate3.12%
In Como, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.0% of residents lack health insurance. 14.4% are current smokers. 23.5% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.4%
3% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.7%
Short Sleep36.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Uninsured9.0%
5% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,975
Dentists1:2,376
Mental Health1:649
Checkup Rate75.3%
Dental Visits61.6%
Premature Death9,513/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities107
Como has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.3 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.3 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall31.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation633 ft (193 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density543/sq mi
Coordinates41.7665°N, 89.7653°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWhiteside County County
County FIPS17195
Como is located in Whiteside County County. It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.7-point margin. 87.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.4%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 14.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.8%
65% below US avg
High School+89.5%
Graduate Degree+6.4%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density543/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi
CountyWhiteside County County

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.6%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities107
Restaurants132
Retail Stores167

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.6 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit5.6%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Rock Falls, IL 8,683 pop · 3.7 mi Sterling, IL 14,670 pop · 4.2 mi Morrison, IL 3,781 pop · 10.5 mi Prophetstown, IL 1,828 pop · 11.0 mi Milledgeville, IL 1,199 pop · 13.6 mi Dixon, IL 15,166 pop · 15.8 mi Walnut, IL 1,402 pop · 17.0 mi Polo, IL 2,495 pop · 17.8 mi Erie, IL 1,658 pop · 17.9 mi Fulton, IL 3,457 pop · 21.4 mi Amboy, IL 2,396 pop · 22.2 mi Thomson, IL 1,526 pop · 22.9 mi Lanark, IL 1,510 pop · 23.4 mi Franklin Grove, IL 1,086 pop · 24.5 mi
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