Elwood, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Elwood is a small town in Illinois with a population of 2,141. Residents earn $73,640 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
2,141 Population 157/sq mi density
$73,640 Median Income $43,572 per capita
$224,900 Home Value $312,850 Zillow
$986 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
309 Violent Crime/100K 707 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$73,640 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$224,900 home value, $986/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
309 violent crimes/100K (19% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,640
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $224,900
20% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 309/100K
19% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $986
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,141
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density157/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

A+
Median Income$73,640
Per Capita$43,572
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$6,044M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$224,900
Rent$986
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$312,850

Crime

F
Violent309/100K
Property707/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault309/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity38.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Elevation615 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+95.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute30 min
Libraries3

Is Elwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elwood receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Elwood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elwood is $73,640, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elwood is $224,900, 20% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $986 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Elwood is below the national average at 309 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 707 per 100,000, 64% below the national average.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Elwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 18.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Elwood has a population of 2,141 with a density of 157 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.6%), with 7.1% Black.

Population

2,141
Total Population
157
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
13.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Elwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.4%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.6%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elwood is $73,640, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Elwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,640
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,572
Avg Weekly Wage$1,344
IRS Avg AGI$81,890

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,204
County GDP$6,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants130
Healthcare145
Retail162
Manufacturing43

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,618
89% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.2 min
Work from Home7.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Elwood is $224,900, 20% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $986 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $312,850.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$224,900
20% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$312,850
Median List Price$444,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$444,950
$/Sq Ft$218
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio101.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$986
15% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,618
89% above US avg
Effective Rate2.94%
In Elwood, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.2%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death7,576/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access78.7%
Healthcare Facilities145
Elwood has a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, 19% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 707 per 100,000 (64% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent309.2/100K
19% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault309.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property706.7/100K
64% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft574.2/100K
Vehicle Theft132.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Elwood has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall18.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation615 ft (187 m)
Area13.7 sq mi (35.4 km²)
Population Density157/sq mi
Coordinates41.4181°N, 88.1172°W
County FIPS17063
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.1%
D 34.5%

Winner: Republican by 29.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density157/sq mi
Total Area13.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities145
Restaurants130
Retail Stores162

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.2 min
Work from Home7.9%

Nearby Cities

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