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Dowell, IL

Illinois

Dowell is a small town in Illinois with a population of 287. Residents earn $51,625 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
287 Population 736/sq mi density
$51,625 Median Income $22,379 per capita
$42,100 Home Value
$800 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 305 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$51,625 median income, 8.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$42,100 home value, $800/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $51,625
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $42,100
85% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.7%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $800
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.1%
125% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.4%
40% higher than US avg

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

People

Population287
Median Age39.4 yrs
Density736/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans14.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$51,625
Per Capita$22,379
Unemployment8.1%
Poverty17.4%
County GDP$3,297M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$42,100
Rent$800
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units155
Rent Burden20.0%

Health

Obesity41.7%
Uninsured9.2%
Smoking18.3%
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.7 in/yr
Sunny Days305/yr
Elevation401 ft (122 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.7%
High School+89.7%
Graduate+3.4%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute21 min
Broadband78.5%
Libraries3

Is Dowell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dowell receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Dowell offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dowell is $51,625, 31% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.1%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dowell is $42,100, 85% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $800 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Dowell enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 305 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.7 inches, including 11.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Dowell has a population of 287 with a density of 736 people per square mile. The median age is 39.4 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.2%).

Population

287
Total Population
736
People / sq mi
39.4yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Dowell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dowell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dowell is $51,625, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Dowell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$51,625
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,379
Avg Weekly Wage$1,085
IRS Avg AGI$62,530

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.1%
125% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.4%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,137
County GDP$3,297M

Business (County)

Restaurants133
Healthcare182
Retail177
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,688
91% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate15.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.7 min
Drive Alone89.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Dowell is $42,100, 85% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $800 (31% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$42,100
85% below US avg
Median List Price$12,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$12,500
$/Sq Ft$19
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio68.3%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$800
31% below US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied95.0%
Housing Units155
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,688
91% above US avg
Effective Rate15.89%
In Dowell, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.2% of residents lack health insurance. 18.3% are current smokers. 25.2% report depression. 25.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.3%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.3%
31% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity25.3%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.7%
Short Sleep38.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.3%
Uninsured9.2%
7% above US avg
Primary Care1:618
Dentists1:1,096
Mental Health1:212
Checkup Rate75.5%
Dental Visits57.5%
Premature Death10,751/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities182
Dowell has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.7 inches. The area enjoys 305 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.0°F
4% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.7 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall11.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation401 ft (122 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density736/sq mi
Coordinates37.9396°N, 89.2395°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 7.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 3.5-point margin. 78.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.5%
D 51%

Winner: Democrat by 3.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.7%
77% below US avg
High School+89.7%
Graduate Degree+3.4%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density736/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.5%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities182
Restaurants133
Retail Stores177

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.7 min
Drive Alone89.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Nearby Cities

Du Quoin, IL 5,780 pop · 4.3 mi Royalton, IL 1,076 pop · 8.1 mi De Soto, IL 1,701 pop · 8.6 mi Christopher, IL 2,413 pop · 10.4 mi Zeigler, IL 1,325 pop · 10.4 mi Pinckneyville, IL 5,055 pop · 11.2 mi Cambria, IL 1,271 pop · 12.9 mi Murphysboro, IL 6,804 pop · 12.9 mi Sesser, IL 1,919 pop · 14.6 mi Carterville, IL 5,822 pop · 14.9 mi Herrin, IL 12,271 pop · 15.0 mi Carbondale, IL 21,813 pop · 15.1 mi Crainville, IL 1,614 pop · 16.2 mi Energy, IL 1,171 pop · 16.6 mi
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