Golden, IL

Illinois

Golden is a small town in Illinois with a population of 711. Residents earn $55,875 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
711 Population 1,111/sq mi density
$55,875 Median Income $29,725 per capita
$125,500 Home Value
$713 Median Rent 26.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$55,875 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,500 home value, $713/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,875
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,500
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.3%
16% lower than US avg
Median Rent $713
39% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
26% lower than US avg

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

People

Population711
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density1,111/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans8.5%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,875
Per Capita$29,725
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$824M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,500
Rent$713
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden26.9%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation715 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.3%
High School+90.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute29 min
Broadband79.7%
Libraries8

Is Golden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Golden receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Golden stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Golden is $55,875, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Golden is $125,500, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Golden experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Golden has a population of 711 with a density of 1,111 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.6%).

Population

711
Total Population
1,111
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Golden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Golden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Golden is $55,875, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Golden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,875
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,725
Avg Weekly Wage$881
IRS Avg AGI$72,288

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
26% below US avg
Establishments (County)412
County GDP$824M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare25
Retail63
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,612
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.3 min
Drive Alone91.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Golden is $125,500, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $713 (39% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,500
55% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$713
39% below US avg
Rent Burden26.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,612
3% above US avg
Effective Rate2.88%
In Golden, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.9%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.4%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death7,758/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities25

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Golden has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.0°F
4% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation715 ft (218 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density1,111/sq mi
Coordinates40.1103°N, 91.0192°W
County FIPS17067
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 28.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50-point margin. 79.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.1%
D 24.1%

Winner: Republican by 50 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.3%
16% below US avg
High School+90.3%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,111/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.7%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants37
Retail Stores63

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.3 min
Drive Alone91.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.3%

Nearby Cities

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