Malta, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Malta is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,507. Residents earn $83,611 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,507 Population 2,431/sq mi density
$83,611 Median Income $31,937 per capita
$178,900 Home Value $264,558 Zillow
$1,036 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$83,611 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$178,900 home value, $1,036/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,611
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $178,900
37% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.7%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,036
11% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,507
Median Age33.7 yrs
Density2,431/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 74%

Economy

A
Median Income$83,611
Per Capita$31,937
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$5,661M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$178,900
Rent$1,036
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$264,558

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property87/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary87/100K

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.7%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.3 in/yr
Elevation914 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.7%
High School+85.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute26 min
Libraries11

Is Malta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Malta receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Malta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Malta is $83,611, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Malta is $178,900, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,036 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Malta is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 87 per 100,000, 96% below the national average.

Education

23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Malta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches, including 33.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Malta has a population of 1,507 with a density of 2,431 people per square mile. The median age is 33.7 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.1%), with 2.8% Black.

Population

1,507
Total Population
2,431
People / sq mi
33.7yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Malta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.7%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.3%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Malta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Malta is $83,611, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Malta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,611
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$31,937
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$71,774

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,988
County GDP$5,661M

Business (County)

Restaurants212
Healthcare224
Retail253
Manufacturing100

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.04%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.3 min
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Malta is $178,900, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,036 (11% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $264,558.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$178,900
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$264,558

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$161
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio99.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,036
11% 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-Occupied66.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Rate4.04%
In Malta, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.7% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression23.7%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death7,708/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities224
Malta has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 87 per 100,000 (96% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property86.7/100K
96% below US avg
Burglary86.7/100K
Theft0.0/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Malta has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.3 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall33.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation914 ft (279 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density2,431/sq mi
Coordinates41.9295°N, 88.8712°W
County FIPS17037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.7%
30% below US avg
High School+85.5%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,431/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities224
Restaurants212
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.3 min
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

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