Downers Grove, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Downers Grove is a mid-size city in Illinois with a population of 49,867. Residents earn $119,649 per year, which is 59% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
49,867 Population 3,404/sq mi density
$119,649 Median Income $67,649 per capita
$439,000 Home Value $482,252 Zillow
$1,589 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
60 Violent Crime/100K 1,308 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$119,649 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$439,000 home value, $1,589/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
60 violent crimes/100K (84% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $119,649
59% higher than US avg
Home Value $439,000
56% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 60/100K
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 58.8%
74% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,589
37% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.0%
10% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population49,867
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density3,404/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$119,649
Per Capita$67,649
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$129,734M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$439,000
Rent$1,589
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$482,252

Crime

F
Violent60/100K
Property1,308/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault30/100K
Burglary168/100K

Health

Obesity29.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.2 in/yr
Elevation709 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+58.8%
High School+96.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 56%
Commute28 min
EV Stations20
Libraries30

Is Downers Grove a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Downers Grove receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Downers Grove offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649, which is significantly higher than the national average — 59% above $75,149. This places Downers Grove among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Downers Grove is $439,000, making it a premium housing market at 56% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,589 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Downers Grove is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 60 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,308 per 100,000, 33% below the national average.

Education

Downers Grove is a highly educated community — 58.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Downers Grove experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Downers Grove has a population of 49,867 with a density of 3,404 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.4%), with 2.8% Black.

Population

49,867
Total Population
3,404
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
14.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Downers Grove vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.7%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.3%
7% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Downers Grove vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Downers Grove is $119,649, which is 59% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Downers Grove vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$119,649
59% above US avg
Per Capita Income$67,649
Avg Weekly Wage$1,532
IRS Avg AGI$127,482

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)33,915
County GDP$129,734M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,309
Healthcare3,795
Retail2,910
Manufacturing1,534

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$11,533
230% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.8 min
Work from Home23.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Downers Grove is $439,000, 56% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,589 (37% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $482,252.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$439,000
56% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$482,252
Median List Price$499,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$499,900
$/Sq Ft$269
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio100.9%
Price Drops18.5%
Inventory130

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,589
37% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,324

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$11,533
230% above US avg
Effective Rate2.63%
In Downers Grove, 29.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 15.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Downers Grove vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.0%
10% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma9.3%
COPD4.3%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity15.8%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress14.5%
Physical Distress9.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death4,711/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access99.8%
Healthcare Facilities3,795
Downers Grove has a violent crime rate of 60 per 100,000 residents, 84% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,308 per 100,000 (33% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent60.2/100K
84% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape14.0/100K
Robbery16.0/100K
Assault30.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,307.7/100K
33% below US avg
Burglary168.5/100K
Theft1,101.1/100K
Vehicle Theft38.1/100K
Arson14.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Downers Grove has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.2 inches
6% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation709 ft (216 m)
Area14.7 sq mi (37.9 km²)
Population Density3,404/sq mi
Coordinates41.7950°N, 88.0211°W
County FIPS17043
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 58.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 13.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.5%
D 55.9%

Winner: Democrat by 13.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+58.8%
74% above US avg
High School+96.5%
School Test Score5.34
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,404/sq mi
Total Area14.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations20
Alt Fuel Stations23
Public Libraries30
Healthcare Facilities3,795
Restaurants2,309
Retail Stores2,910

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)37
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.8 min
Work from Home23.2%

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