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Garden Prairie, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Garden Prairie is a small town in Illinois with a population of 560. Residents earn $42,188 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
560 Population 875/sq mi density
$42,188 Median Income $16,608 per capita
$108,000 Home Value $311,670 Zillow
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$42,188 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$108,000 home value
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,188
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $108,000
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.7%
14% lower than US avg

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

People

Population560
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density875/mi²
Male / Female61% / 39%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans7.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$42,188
Per Capita$16,608
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$1,975M
Commute42 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$108,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$311,670
Housing Units100
Rent Burden28.6%

Health

Obesity36.7%
Uninsured10.5%
Smoking16.3%
Depression23.8%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation780 ft (238 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+89.3%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute42 min
Broadband100.0%
Libraries2

Is Garden Prairie a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garden Prairie receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Garden Prairie stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garden Prairie is $42,188, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 10.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garden Prairie is $108,000, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Garden Prairie experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Garden Prairie has a population of 560 with a density of 875 people per square mile. The median age is 43.7 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.2%).

Population

560
Total Population
875
People / sq mi
43.7yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 61.1%
Female 38.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Garden Prairie vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Garden Prairie vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garden Prairie is $42,188, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Garden Prairie vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,188
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,608
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$78,138

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.7%
14% below US avg
Establishments (County)880
County GDP$1,975M

Business (County)

Restaurants75
Healthcare70
Retail90
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,648
147% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate8.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time41.9 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Garden Prairie is $108,000, 62% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $311,670.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$108,000
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$311,670

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden28.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.4%
Housing Units100
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,648
147% above US avg
Effective Rate8.01%
In Garden Prairie, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.5% of residents lack health insurance. 16.3% are current smokers. 23.8% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Garden Prairie vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD7.1%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.3%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.2%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression23.8%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress13.4%
Short Sleep36.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured10.5%
22% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,899
Dentists1:2,658
Mental Health1:2,217
Checkup Rate74.4%
Dental Visits59.3%
Premature Death6,935/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access77.8%
Healthcare Facilities70
Garden Prairie has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation780 ft (238 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density875/sq mi
Coordinates42.2536°N, 88.7129°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17007
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.5-point margin. 100.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.5%
D 42%

Winner: Republican by 14.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+89.3%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.34
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density875/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access100.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities70
Restaurants75
Retail Stores90

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute41.9 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Marengo, IL 7,123 pop · 5.9 mi Belvidere, IL 24,510 pop · 9.0 mi Poplar Grove, IL 4,202 pop · 9.5 mi Timberlane, IL 1,291 pop · 9.7 mi Capron, IL 1,328 pop · 10.1 mi Candlewick Lake, IL 5,459 pop · 10.5 mi Genoa, IL 5,685 pop · 11.3 mi Harvard, IL 9,875 pop · 13.0 mi Kirkland, IL 1,497 pop · 13.3 mi Cherry Valley, IL 3,268 pop · 13.5 mi Hampshire, IL 8,351 pop · 14.3 mi Woodstock, IL 26,316 pop · 14.7 mi Huntley, IL 27,859 pop · 15.6 mi Loves Park, IL 23,185 pop · 15.7 mi
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