Leaf River, IL

Illinois

Leaf River is a small town in Illinois with a population of 475. Residents earn $75,903 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
475 Population 546/sq mi density
$75,903 Median Income $45,049 per capita
$93,600 Home Value $134,715 Zillow
$795 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$75,903 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,600 home value, $795/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,903
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $93,600
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.5%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $795
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.7%
14% lower than US avg

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

People

Population475
Median Age43.8 yrs
Density546/mi²
Male / Female55% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans17.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$75,903
Per Capita$45,049
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty10.7%
County GDP$3,853M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,600
Rent$795
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$134,715
Rent Burden22.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.2 in/yr
Elevation736 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.5%
High School+94.2%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute30 min
Broadband61.6%
Libraries9

Is Leaf River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Leaf River receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Leaf River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Leaf River is $75,903, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. 10.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Leaf River is $93,600, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $795 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Leaf River experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches, including 37.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Leaf River has a population of 475 with a density of 546 people per square mile. The median age is 43.8 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.3%).

Population

475
Total Population
546
People / sq mi
43.8yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.5%
Female 45.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Leaf River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Leaf River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Leaf River is $75,903, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Leaf River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,903
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$45,049
Avg Weekly Wage$1,119
IRS Avg AGI$74,066

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.7%
14% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,030
County GDP$3,853M

Business (County)

Restaurants113
Healthcare87
Retail121
Manufacturing61

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,958
70% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.4 min
Drive Alone86.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Leaf River is $93,600, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $795 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $134,715.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,600
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$134,715

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$795
32% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,958
70% above US avg
Effective Rate6.37%
In Leaf River, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 18.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Leaf River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.1%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.3%
Physical Inactivity18.0%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.3%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death7,241/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access67.6%
Healthcare Facilities87

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Leaf River 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. 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)

Precipitation & Snow

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

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation736 ft (224 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density546/sq mi
Coordinates42.1233°N, 89.4040°W
County FIPS17141
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 12.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.4-point margin. 61.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.9%
D 34.5%

Winner: Republican by 29.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.5%
63% below US avg
High School+94.2%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density546/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.6%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities87
Restaurants113
Retail Stores121

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.4 min
Drive Alone86.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Nearby Cities

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