At a Glance
Median Income
$30,992
$22,037 per capita
Home Value
$52,700
Zillow: $31,311
Median Rent
$597/mo
33.1% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.7%
82.7% high school+
Unemployment
15.3%
31.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
51.7%
22.8% smoking rate
How East St. Louis Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows East St. Louis's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is East St. Louis a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
East St. Louis residents earn a median household income of $30,992 , which is 59% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $22,037. The unemployment rate stands at 15.3% (325% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 31.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 15,318 business establishments, including 1,029 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in East St. Louis is $52,700 , 81% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $31,311. Median rent is $597/month, with 33.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1958.
Education
14.7% of adults in East St. Louis hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(56% below the national average).
82.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.3/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
East St. Louis has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C).
Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.8 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population18,278
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density1,312/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Foreign Born1.4%
Veterans7.5%
Economy
F
Median Income$30,992
Per Capita$22,037
Unemployment15.3%
Poverty31.1%
County GDP$40,403M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,519
Housing
A+
Home Value$52,700
Rent$597
Ownership54.3%
Zillow$31,311
Housing Units10,896
Rent Burden33.1%
Health
Obesity51.7%
Diabetes20.2%
Smoking22.8%
Heart Disease7.4%
Premature Death15,768/100K
Climate
Avg Temp57°F
Rain40.8 in/yr
Elevation414 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+82.7%
Graduate+4.9%
School Score5.3/10
Community
2024 VoteR 17% / D 81%
Commute23 min
Broadband67.3%
Internet Speed155 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries16
Did You Know?
East St. Louis was founded in 1820.
The median home in East St. Louis was built in 1958.
The nearest airport is St Louis Lambert International (16 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.495 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
23.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 155 Mbps.
There are 1,029 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 71 fatal vehicle crashes.