Choose Country

Dakota, IL

Illinois

Dakota is a small town in Illinois with a population of 625. Residents earn $57,063 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
625 Population 2,500/sq mi density
$57,063 Median Income $24,834 per capita
$115,700 Home Value
$644 Median Rent 25.4% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$57,063 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,700 home value, $644/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,063
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,700
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.4%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $644
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.6%
10% higher than US avg

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

People

Population625
Median Age33.4 yrs
Density2,500/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans5.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,063
Per Capita$24,834
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty13.6%
County GDP$2,485M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,700
Rent$644
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units259
Rent Burden25.4%

Health

Obesity38.3%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking13.8%
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.4 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation940 ft (287 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.4%
High School+92.8%
Graduate+8.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute24 min
Broadband83.3%
Libraries3

Is Dakota a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dakota receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Dakota offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dakota is $57,063, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 13.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dakota is $115,700, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $644 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Dakota experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.4 inches, including 34.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dakota has a population of 625 with a density of 2,500 people per square mile. The median age is 33.4 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

625
Total Population
2,500
People / sq mi
33.4yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.8%
Female 46.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Dakota vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dakota vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dakota is $57,063, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Dakota vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,063
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,834
Avg Weekly Wage$1,076
IRS Avg AGI$63,398

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.6%
10% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,019
County GDP$2,485M

Business (County)

Restaurants91
Healthcare99
Retail137
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Drive Alone68.1%
Public Transit5.9%
Work from Home8.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Dakota is $115,700, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $644 (45% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,700
59% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$644
45% below US avg
Rent Burden25.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.7%
Housing Units259
Median Year Built1947

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Effective Rate4.88%
In Dakota, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 13.8% are current smokers. 24.1% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.8%
1% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.8%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.0%
Short Sleep35.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.5%
Dental Visits63.4%
Premature Death9,373/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access70.5%
Healthcare Facilities99
Dakota has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.4 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.4 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall34.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation940 ft (287 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density2,500/sq mi
Coordinates42.3879°N, 89.5266°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17177
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.4-point margin. 83.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.9%
D 39.5%

Winner: Republican by 19.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.4%
48% below US avg
High School+92.8%
Graduate Degree+8.6%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density2,500/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.3%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants91
Retail Stores137

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Drive Alone68.1%
Public Transit5.9%
Work from Home8.3%

Nearby Cities

Lake Summerset, IL 2,240 pop · 8.3 mi Freeport, IL 23,636 pop · 8.8 mi Pecatonica, IL 2,178 pop · 10.2 mi Durand, IL 1,485 pop · 10.7 mi Westlake Village, IL 1,282 pop · 13.1 mi Lena, IL 2,778 pop · 15.1 mi Monroe, WI 10,568 pop · 15.9 mi Winnebago, IL 2,896 pop · 17.1 mi Brodhead, WI 3,205 pop · 17.6 mi Forreston, IL 1,148 pop · 18.2 mi Orfordville, WI 1,567 pop · 21.6 mi Albany, WI 1,065 pop · 22.5 mi Byron, IL 3,742 pop · 22.7 mi Mount Morris, IL 2,679 pop · 24.0 mi
Compare Dakota with another city: