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Cowden, IL

Illinois

Cowden is a small town in Illinois with a population of 547. Residents earn $42,083 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
547 Population 1,368/sq mi density
$42,083 Median Income $19,216 per capita
$76,200 Home Value $147,425 Zillow
$767 Median Rent 34.7% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$42,083 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$76,200 home value, $767/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,083
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $76,200
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $767
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.9%
69% higher than US avg

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

People

Population547
Median Age27.3 yrs
Density1,368/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,083
Per Capita$19,216
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty20.9%
County GDP$1,098M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$76,200
Rent$767
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$147,425
Housing Units216
Rent Burden34.7%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property336/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity37.8%
Uninsured8.2%
Smoking16.5%
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation604 ft (184 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+92.6%
Graduate+7.2%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute26 min
Broadband78.8%
Libraries5

Is Cowden a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cowden is $42,083, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 20.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cowden is $76,200, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $767 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Cowden is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 336 per 100,000, 83% below the national average.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Cowden experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Cowden has a population of 547 with a density of 1,368 people per square mile. The median age is 27.3 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.8%), with 2.6% Hispanic.

Population

547
Total Population
1,368
People / sq mi
27.3yrs
Median Age
30% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.4%
Female 57.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Cowden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.2%
16% above US avg
Spanish8.8%
34% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cowden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cowden is $42,083, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Cowden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,083
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,216
Avg Weekly Wage$929
IRS Avg AGI$70,653

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.9%
69% above US avg
Establishments (County)468
County GDP$1,098M

Business (County)

Restaurants42
Healthcare37
Retail54
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,683
5% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.2 min
Drive Alone90.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Cowden is $76,200, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $767 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $147,425.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$76,200
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$147,425

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$767
34% below US avg
Rent Burden34.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.7%
Housing Units216
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,683
5% above US avg
Effective Rate4.83%
In Cowden, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.2% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 24.3% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress13.2%
Short Sleep36.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Uninsured8.2%
5% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.8%
Dental Visits59.3%
Premature Death7,898/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access43.2%
Healthcare Facilities37
Cowden has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 336 per 100,000 (83% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property336.1/100K
83% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft336.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Cowden has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.6°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation604 ft (184 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,368/sq mi
Coordinates39.2492°N, 88.8594°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.3-point margin. 78.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.5%
D 19.2%

Winner: Republican by 60.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+92.6%
Graduate Degree+7.2%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,368/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.8%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities37
Restaurants42
Retail Stores54

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.2 min
Drive Alone90.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

Nearby Cities

Shelbyville, IL 4,248 pop · 11.5 mi Altamont, IL 2,500 pop · 14.6 mi St. Elmo, IL 1,401 pop · 15.7 mi Pana, IL 5,277 pop · 15.9 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 18.8 mi Assumption, IL 1,117 pop · 21.1 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 21.9 mi Neoga, IL 1,248 pop · 22.4 mi Nokomis, IL 2,213 pop · 23.0 mi Vandalia, IL 6,041 pop · 23.3 mi Sullivan, IL 4,253 pop · 27.4 mi Moweaqua, IL 2,093 pop · 27.4 mi Bethany, IL 1,253 pop · 28.0 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 28.7 mi
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