Choose Country

Grand Tower, IL

Illinois

Grand Tower is a small town in Illinois with a population of 551. Residents earn $59,375 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
551 Population 441/sq mi density
$59,375 Median Income $23,409 per capita
$24,500 Home Value
$700 Median Rent 44.2% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 305 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$59,375 median income, 7.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$24,500 home value, $700/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,375
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $24,500
91% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.6%
92% lower than US avg
Median Rent $700
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.8%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.1%
97% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.3%
88% higher than US avg

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

People

Population551
Median Age24.1 yrs
Density441/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 86%
Veterans4.3%

Economy

C+
Median Income$59,375
Per Capita$23,409
Unemployment7.1%
Poverty23.3%
County GDP$3,297M
Commute41 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$24,500
Rent$700
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units238
Rent Burden44.2%

Health

Obesity42.8%
Uninsured9.7%
Smoking19.4%
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Sunny Days305/yr
Elevation362 ft (110 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.6%
High School+86.8%
Graduate+0.7%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute41 min
Broadband92.0%
Libraries3

Is Grand Tower a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grand Tower receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Grand Tower has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grand Tower is $59,375, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 23.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grand Tower is $24,500, 91% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Grand Tower experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 305 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Grand Tower has a population of 551 with a density of 441 people per square mile. The median age is 24.1 years, 38% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.2%).

Population

551
Total Population
441
People / sq mi
24.1yrs
Median Age
38% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Grand Tower vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.9%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.1%
62% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Grand Tower vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grand Tower is $59,375, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 41 minutes.

Income: Grand Tower vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,375
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,409
Avg Weekly Wage$1,085
IRS Avg AGI$62,530

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.1%
97% above US avg
Poverty Rate23.3%
88% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,137
County GDP$3,297M

Business (County)

Restaurants133
Healthcare182
Retail177
Manufacturing44

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,688
91% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate27.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time40.5 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Grand Tower is $24,500, 91% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $700 (40% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$24,500
91% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$700
40% below US avg
Rent Burden44.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.2%
Housing Units238
Median Year Built1967

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,688
91% above US avg
Effective Rate27.30%
In Grand Tower, 42.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.7% of residents lack health insurance. 19.4% are current smokers. 25.9% report depression. 26.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Grand Tower vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.8%
33% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.9%
Asthma11.3%
COPD9.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.4%
39% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity26.8%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.3%
Short Sleep37.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.9%
Uninsured9.7%
13% above US avg
Primary Care1:618
Dentists1:1,096
Mental Health1:212
Checkup Rate75.8%
Dental Visits55.4%
Premature Death10,751/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access78.3%
Healthcare Facilities182
Grand Tower has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. The area enjoys 305 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.0°F
2% above US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall4.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation362 ft (110 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density441/sq mi
Coordinates37.6417°N, 89.5067°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17077
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 3.5-point margin. 92.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.5%
D 51%

Winner: Democrat by 3.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.6%
92% below US avg
High School+86.8%
Graduate Degree+0.7%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density441/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities182
Restaurants133
Retail Stores177

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute40.5 min
Drive Alone84.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.6%

Nearby Cities

Murphysboro, IL 6,804 pop · 12.9 mi Cobden, IL 1,064 pop · 15.7 mi Carbondale, IL 21,813 pop · 16.4 mi Jonesboro, IL 1,912 pop · 18.6 mi Anna, IL 4,222 pop · 19.3 mi De Soto, IL 1,701 pop · 19.5 mi Jackson, MO 15,532 pop · 19.9 mi Perryville, MO 8,530 pop · 20.2 mi Cape Girardeau, MO 40,047 pop · 23.2 mi Cambria, IL 1,271 pop · 23.2 mi Carterville, IL 5,822 pop · 24.6 mi Crainville, IL 1,614 pop · 25.7 mi Chester, IL 6,830 pop · 26.3 mi Percy, IL 1,014 pop · 26.5 mi
Compare Grand Tower with another city: