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Dorchester, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Dorchester is a small town in Illinois with a population of 185. Residents earn $121,250 per year, which is 61% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
185 Population 257/sq mi density
$121,250 Median Income $40,152 per capita
$133,300 Home Value
53°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$121,250 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$133,300 home value
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $121,250
61% higher than US avg
Home Value $133,300
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.5%
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.1%
91% lower than US avg

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

People

Population185
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density257/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans4.7%

Economy

A+
Median Income$121,250
Per Capita$40,152
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty1.1%
County GDP$1,525M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units62
Rent Burden25.3%

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured8.1%
Smoking15.4%
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation655 ft (200 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.5%
High School+93.3%
Graduate+7.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute34 min
Broadband60.0%
Libraries9

Is Dorchester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dorchester receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Dorchester stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dorchester is $121,250, which is significantly higher than the national average — 61% above $75,149. This places Dorchester among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dorchester is $133,300, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Dorchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°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 40.0 inches, including 16.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dorchester has a population of 185 with a density of 257 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

185
Total Population
257
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dorchester is $121,250, which is 61% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Dorchester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$121,250
61% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,152
Avg Weekly Wage$898
IRS Avg AGI$67,326

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.1%
91% below US avg
Establishments (County)887
County GDP$1,525M

Business (County)

Restaurants88
Healthcare78
Retail116
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,826
9% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate2.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.2 min
Drive Alone93.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Dorchester is $133,300, 53% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,300
53% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden25.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units62
Median Year Built1944

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,826
9% above US avg
Effective Rate2.87%
In Dorchester, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.1% of residents lack health insurance. 15.4% are current smokers. 23.4% report depression. 21.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.6%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.4%
10% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.5%
Physical Inactivity21.4%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep36.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Uninsured8.1%
6% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.4%
Dental Visits62.4%
Premature Death9,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access78.1%
Healthcare Facilities78
Dorchester has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.0 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 Average53.4°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.0 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall16.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation655 ft (200 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density257/sq mi
Coordinates39.0859°N, 89.8877°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17117
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.2-point margin. 60.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.7%
D 29.5%

Winner: Republican by 39.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.5%
63% below US avg
High School+93.3%
Graduate Degree+7.9%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density257/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access60.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities78
Restaurants88
Retail Stores116

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.2 min
Drive Alone93.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.1%

Nearby Cities

Bunker Hill, IL 1,305 pop · 4.6 mi Benld, IL 1,535 pop · 4.6 mi Gillespie, IL 3,118 pop · 4.7 mi Staunton, IL 4,307 pop · 7.3 mi Mount Olive, IL 1,979 pop · 8.6 mi Holiday Shores, IL 3,162 pop · 11.3 mi Carlinville, IL 5,574 pop · 13.3 mi Litchfield, IL 6,814 pop · 13.4 mi Hamel, IL 1,004 pop · 13.6 mi Brighton, IL 2,536 pop · 13.9 mi Bethalto, IL 9,244 pop · 15.3 mi Rosewood Heights, IL 4,047 pop · 16.9 mi East Alton, IL 5,729 pop · 18.3 mi Wood River, IL 10,315 pop · 18.5 mi
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