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Gays, IL

Illinois

Gays is a small town in Illinois with a population of 173. Residents earn $54,464 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
173 Population 444/sq mi density
$54,464 Median Income $32,555 per capita
$95,000 Home Value $180,441 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 17.5% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$54,464 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $850/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,464
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.4%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.9%
28% lower than US avg

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

People

Population173
Median Age48.1 yrs
Density444/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans12.9%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,464
Per Capita$32,555
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty8.9%
County GDP$981M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$180,441
Housing Units74
Rent Burden17.5%

Health

Obesity37.3%
Uninsured10.1%
Smoking17.7%
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.9 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation756 ft (230 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.4%
High School+92.4%
Graduate+1.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute30 min
Broadband77.0%
Libraries4

Is Gays a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gays receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Gays offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gays is $54,464, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 8.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gays is $95,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Gays experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Gays has a population of 173 with a density of 444 people per square mile. The median age is 48.1 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%).

Population

173
Total Population
444
People / sq mi
48.1yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.6%
Female 58.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Gays vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gays vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gays is $54,464, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Gays vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,464
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,555
Avg Weekly Wage$992
IRS Avg AGI$79,919

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.9%
28% below US avg
Establishments (County)342
County GDP$981M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare33
Retail46
Manufacturing45

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,233
50% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.51%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.7 min
Drive Alone80.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Gays is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $180,441.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$180,441

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden17.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.5%
Housing Units74
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,233
50% above US avg
Effective Rate5.51%
In Gays, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.7% are current smokers. 24.8% report depression. 24.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.2%
Asthma10.9%
COPD7.7%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.7%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity24.4%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress14.0%
Short Sleep35.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Uninsured10.1%
17% above US avg
Primary Care1:3,627
Dentists1:7,161
Mental Health1:495
Checkup Rate73.3%
Dental Visits57.7%
Premature Death8,830/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access65.8%
Healthcare Facilities33
Gays has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.9 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.9 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation756 ft (230 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density444/sq mi
Coordinates39.4583°N, 88.4963°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.1-point margin. 77.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.8%
D 24.8%

Winner: Republican by 49.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.4%
57% below US avg
High School+92.4%
Graduate Degree+1.6%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density444/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants25
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.7 min
Drive Alone80.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.9%

Nearby Cities

Mattoon, IL 16,334 pop · 7.3 mi Neoga, IL 1,248 pop · 9.8 mi Sullivan, IL 4,253 pop · 11.2 mi Shelbyville, IL 4,248 pop · 16.6 mi Charleston, IL 17,212 pop · 17.1 mi Arthur, IL 2,024 pop · 17.8 mi Bethany, IL 1,253 pop · 18.3 mi Toledo, IL 1,209 pop · 18.7 mi Arcola, IL 2,867 pop · 18.7 mi Lovington, IL 1,120 pop · 19.2 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 22.6 mi Greenup, IL 1,678 pop · 23.1 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 23.6 mi Tuscola, IL 4,675 pop · 26.1 mi
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