Joy, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Joy is a small town in Illinois with a population of 377. Residents earn $64,583 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
377 Population 877/sq mi density
$64,583 Median Income $28,854 per capita
$82,300 Home Value $175,488 Zillow
$885 Median Rent 20.8% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$64,583 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$82,300 home value, $885/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
5.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,583
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $82,300
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.9%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $885
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.9%
4% higher than US avg

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

People

Population377
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density877/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans4.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,583
Per Capita$28,854
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty12.9%
County GDP$590M
Commute42 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$82,300
Rent$885
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$175,488
Rent Burden20.8%

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.1 in/yr
Elevation685 ft (209 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.9%
High School+91.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 35%
Commute42 min
Broadband86.5%
Libraries4

Is Joy a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Joy receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Joy offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Joy is $64,583, 14% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.9% 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 Joy is $82,300, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $885 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Joy experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches, including 21.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Joy has a population of 377 with a density of 877 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

377
Total Population
877
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Joy vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Joy vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Joy is $64,583, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Joy vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,583
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,854
Avg Weekly Wage$840
IRS Avg AGI$73,339

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.9%
4% above US avg
Establishments (County)306
County GDP$590M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare21
Retail32
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,932
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time42.1 min
Drive Alone83.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Joy is $82,300, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $885 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $175,488.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$82,300
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$175,488

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$70
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio135.7%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$885
24% below US avg
Rent Burden20.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,932
41% above US avg
Effective Rate5.99%
In Joy, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death7,042/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access40.9%
Healthcare Facilities21
Joy has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.1 inches
3% above US avg
Snowfall21.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation685 ft (209 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density877/sq mi
Coordinates41.1969°N, 90.8788°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17131
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 5.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.1-point margin. 86.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.5%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.9%
82% below US avg
High School+91.0%
School Test Score5.34
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density877/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.5%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants25
Retail Stores32

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute42.1 min
Drive Alone83.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Joy with another city: