Cortland, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Cortland is a small town in Illinois with a population of 4,556. Residents earn $82,750 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
4,556 Population 1,269/sq mi density
$82,750 Median Income $35,862 per capita
$203,700 Home Value $284,621 Zillow
$1,420 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
115 Violent Crime/100K 1,085 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$82,750 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$203,700 home value, $1,420/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
115 violent crimes/100K (70% below avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,750
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $203,700
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 115/100K
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.1%
8% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,420
22% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.1%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.9%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,556
Median Age31.9 yrs
Density1,269/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A
Median Income$82,750
Per Capita$35,862
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty1.9%
County GDP$5,661M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$203,700
Rent$1,420
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$284,621

Crime

F
Violent115/100K
Property1,085/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault92/100K
Burglary208/100K

Health

Obesity35.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.3 in/yr
Elevation890 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.1%
High School+94.1%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute27 min
Libraries11

Is Cortland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cortland receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Cortland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cortland is $82,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cortland is $203,700, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,420 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Cortland is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 115 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,085 per 100,000, 45% below the national average.

Education

31.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Cortland experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches, including 33.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Cortland has a population of 4,556 with a density of 1,269 people per square mile. The median age is 31.9 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.4%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 9.9% Black.

Population

4,556
Total Population
1,269
People / sq mi
31.9yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59%
Female 41%

Race & Ethnicity

Cortland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.3%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.7%
20% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cortland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cortland is $82,750, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Cortland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,750
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$35,862
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$71,774

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.9%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,988
County GDP$5,661M

Business (County)

Restaurants212
Healthcare224
Retail253
Manufacturing100

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.4 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Cortland is $203,700, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,420 (22% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $284,621.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,700
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$284,621
Median List Price$304,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$304,950
$/Sq Ft$184
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio99.3%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory23

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,420
22% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Rate3.54%
In Cortland, 35.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.1%
9% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure29.6%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress11.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death7,708/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities224
Cortland has a violent crime rate of 115 per 100,000 residents, 70% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,085 per 100,000 (45% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Cortland vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent115.4/100K
70% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape23.1/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault92.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,085.0/100K
45% below US avg
Burglary207.8/100K
Theft877.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson46.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cortland has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.3 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall33.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation890 ft (271 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
Population Density1,269/sq mi
Coordinates41.9372°N, 88.6893°W
County FIPS17037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 31.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.1%
8% below US avg
High School+94.1%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,269/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities224
Restaurants212
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.4 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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