Kewanee, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Kewanee is a small city in Illinois with a population of 12,280. Residents earn $49,668 per year, which is 34% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
12,280 Population 1,861/sq mi density
$49,668 Median Income $26,763 per capita
$70,000 Home Value $77,298 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
293 Violent Crime/100K 3,367 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$49,668 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$70,000 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
293 violent crimes/100K (23% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,668
34% lower than US avg
Home Value $70,000
75% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 293/100K
23% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.1%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population12,280
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density1,861/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 80%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,668
Per Capita$26,763
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$340M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$70,000
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$77,298

Crime

F
Violent293/100K
Property3,367/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault182/100K
Burglary475/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.6 in/yr
Elevation821 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.1%
High School+83.4%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 26%
Commute19 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Kewanee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kewanee receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Kewanee offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kewanee is $49,668, 34% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kewanee is $70,000, 75% 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 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Kewanee is below the national average at 293 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,367 per 100,000, 72% above the national average.

Education

15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Kewanee 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 39.6 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Kewanee has a population of 12,280 with a density of 1,861 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.2%), with 7.1% Black.

Population

12,280
Total Population
1,861
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
6.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Kewanee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.1%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.9%
41% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kewanee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kewanee is $49,668, which is 34% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Kewanee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,668
34% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,763
Avg Weekly Wage$1,160
IRS Avg AGI$68,713

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)148
County GDP$340M

Business (County)

Restaurants5
Healthcare5
Retail10
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.5 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Kewanee is $70,000, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $77,298.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$70,000
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$77,298
Median List Price$124,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$124,950
$/Sq Ft$53
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio93.3%
Price Drops7.1%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,780
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.83%
In Kewanee, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.6%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death9,474/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access46.9%
Healthcare Facilities5
Kewanee has a violent crime rate of 293 per 100,000 residents, 23% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,367 per 100,000 (72% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent293.2/100K
23% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape103.0/100K
Robbery7.9/100K
Assault182.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,367.4/100K
72% above US avg
Burglary475.4/100K
Theft2,852.4/100K
Vehicle Theft39.6/100K
Arson15.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Kewanee 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 39.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.6 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation821 ft (250 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density1,861/sq mi
Coordinates41.2391°N, 89.9257°W
County FIPS17175
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 26.3%

Winner: Republican by 45.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.1%
55% below US avg
High School+83.4%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,861/sq mi
Total Area6.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants5
Retail Stores10

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.5 min
Work from Home6.1%

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