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German Valley, IL

Illinois

German Valley is a small town in Illinois with a population of 455. Residents earn $71,420 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
455 Population 968/sq mi density
$71,420 Median Income $30,536 per capita
$118,300 Home Value $213,422 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 23.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$71,420 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,300 home value, $775/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,420
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,300
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.1%
11% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.6%
79% lower than US avg

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

People

Population455
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density968/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans4.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,420
Per Capita$30,536
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty2.6%
County GDP$2,485M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,300
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$213,422
Housing Units207
Rent Burden23.3%

Health

Obesity37.9%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking13.7%
Depression24.7%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation824 ft (251 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.1%
High School+94.1%
Graduate+16.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute29 min
Broadband88.0%
Libraries3

Is German Valley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, German Valley receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. German Valley stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in German Valley is $71,420, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in German Valley is $118,300, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 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

30.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

German Valley experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 37.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

German Valley has a population of 455 with a density of 968 people per square mile. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.8%).

Population

455
Total Population
968
People / sq mi
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.3%
Female 40.7%

Race & Ethnicity

German Valley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

German Valley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in German Valley is $71,420, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: German Valley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,420
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,536
Avg Weekly Wage$1,076
IRS Avg AGI$63,398

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.6%
79% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,019
County GDP$2,485M

Business (County)

Restaurants91
Healthcare99
Retail137
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.0 min
Drive Alone90.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.6%

Walkability

The median home value in German Valley is $118,300, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $213,422.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,300
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$213,422

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden23.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.3%
Housing Units207
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Effective Rate4.77%
In German Valley, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 24.7% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: German Valley vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.9%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression24.7%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress11.9%
Short Sleep35.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.5%
Dental Visits64.5%
Premature Death9,373/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access70.5%
Healthcare Facilities99
German Valley has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.2 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.2 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall37.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation824 ft (251 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density968/sq mi
Coordinates42.2143°N, 89.4846°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17177
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 30.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.4-point margin. 88.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.9%
D 39.5%

Winner: Republican by 19.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.1%
11% below US avg
High School+94.1%
Graduate Degree+16.9%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density968/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants91
Retail Stores137

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.0 min
Drive Alone90.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.6%

Nearby Cities

Forreston, IL 1,148 pop · 7.7 mi Freeport, IL 23,636 pop · 9.2 mi Pecatonica, IL 2,178 pop · 9.2 mi Mount Morris, IL 2,679 pop · 11.8 mi Westlake Village, IL 1,282 pop · 11.8 mi Byron, IL 3,742 pop · 12.9 mi Winnebago, IL 2,896 pop · 13.3 mi Oregon, IL 3,821 pop · 15.9 mi Polo, IL 2,495 pop · 16.6 mi Durand, IL 1,485 pop · 17.2 mi Lake Summerset, IL 2,240 pop · 17.3 mi Stillman Valley, IL 1,261 pop · 17.4 mi Lanark, IL 1,510 pop · 19.5 mi Lena, IL 2,778 pop · 20.6 mi
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