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Creston, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Creston is a small town in Illinois with a population of 547. Residents earn $67,212 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
547 Population 476/sq mi density
$67,212 Median Income $51,705 per capita
$162,000 Home Value $204,296 Zillow
$933 Median Rent 18.9% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$67,212 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$162,000 home value, $933/mo rent
B+
Education
3.6 / 5.0
31.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,212
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,000
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.9%
5% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.3%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population547
Median Age30.4 yrs
Density476/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 71%
Veterans6.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,212
Per Capita$51,705
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty2.3%
County GDP$5,661M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$162,000
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,296
Housing Units240
Rent Burden18.9%

Health

Obesity41.8%
Uninsured9.0%
Smoking15.1%
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation904 ft (276 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+31.9%
High School+97.9%
Graduate+4.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute27 min
Broadband90.6%
Libraries11

Is Creston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Creston receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Creston stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Creston is $67,212, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 2.3% 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 Creston is $162,000, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Creston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Creston has a population of 547 with a density of 476 people per square mile. The median age is 30.4 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (71.1%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 3.3% Black.

Population

547
Total Population
476
People / sq mi
30.4yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.1%
Female 51.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Creston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.0%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.0%
70% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Creston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Creston is $67,212, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Creston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,212
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$51,705
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$71,774

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.3%
81% 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
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.3 min
Drive Alone88.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Creston is $162,000, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,296.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,000
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,296

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
20% below US avg
Rent Burden18.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.6%
Housing Units240
Median Year Built1968

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Rate4.46%
In Creston, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.0% of residents lack health insurance. 15.1% are current smokers. 23.9% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure32.0%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.9%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.1%
8% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.2%
Short Sleep36.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Uninsured9.0%
5% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death7,708/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities224
Creston has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation904 ft (276 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density476/sq mi
Coordinates41.9336°N, 88.9743°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (5% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2-point margin. 90.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.9%
5% below US avg
High School+97.9%
Graduate Degree+4.6%
School Test Score5.34
B+ Education Grade (3.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density476/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.6%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities224
Restaurants212
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.3 min
Drive Alone88.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Rochelle, IL 9,477 pop · 4.7 mi Hillcrest, IL 1,679 pop · 5.1 mi Malta, IL 1,507 pop · 5.3 mi DeKalb, IL 40,464 pop · 11.7 mi Kirkland, IL 1,497 pop · 12.6 mi Davis Junction, IL 2,656 pop · 13.9 mi Cortland, IL 4,556 pop · 14.7 mi Sycamore, IL 18,243 pop · 15.9 mi Stillman Valley, IL 1,261 pop · 15.9 mi Waterman, IL 1,419 pop · 15.9 mi New Milford, IL 1,183 pop · 17.0 mi Franklin Grove, IL 1,086 pop · 17.9 mi Genoa, IL 5,685 pop · 18.0 mi Maple Park, IL 1,939 pop · 19.0 mi
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