Marengo, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Marengo is a small city in Illinois with a population of 7,123. Residents earn $72,586 per year, which is 3% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,123 Population 800/sq mi density
$72,586 Median Income $35,638 per capita
$206,100 Home Value $345,185 Zillow
$1,077 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
173 Violent Crime/100K 933 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$72,586 median income, 5.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$206,100 home value, $1,077/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
173 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $72,586
3% lower than US avg
Home Value $206,100
27% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 173/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.5%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,077
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,123
Median Age33.3 yrs
Density800/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$72,586
Per Capita$35,638
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$15,983M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$206,100
Rent$1,077
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$345,185

Crime

F
Violent173/100K
Property933/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault160/100K
Burglary120/100K

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Elevation822 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.5%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 52% / D 47%
Commute28 min
Libraries13

Is Marengo a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Marengo is $72,586, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 17.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Marengo is $206,100, 27% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,077 per month. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Marengo is below the national average at 173 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 933 per 100,000, 52% below the national average.

Education

16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Marengo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Marengo has a population of 7,123 with a density of 800 people per square mile. The median age is 33.3 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

7,123
Total Population
800
People / sq mi
33.3yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
8.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Marengo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.4%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.6%
1% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Marengo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Marengo is $72,586, which is 3% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Marengo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$72,586
3% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,638
Avg Weekly Wage$1,060
IRS Avg AGI$93,804

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)7,928
County GDP$15,983M

Business (County)

Restaurants645
Healthcare846
Retail816
Manufacturing432

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.2 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Marengo is $206,100, 27% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,077 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $345,185.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$206,100
27% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$345,185
Median List Price$387,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$387,500
$/Sq Ft$184
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio96.6%
Price Drops13.6%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,077
7% 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-Occupied68.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,712
149% above US avg
Effective Rate4.23%
In Marengo, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death5,730/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access93.1%
Healthcare Facilities846
Marengo has a violent crime rate of 173 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 933 per 100,000 (52% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent173.4/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape13.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault160.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property933.5/100K
52% below US avg
Burglary120.0/100K
Theft786.8/100K
Vehicle Theft26.7/100K
Arson13.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Marengo has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation822 ft (251 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (23.1 km²)
Population Density800/sq mi
Coordinates42.2466°N, 88.5975°W
County FIPS17111
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 5.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 51.9%
D 46.6%

Winner: Republican by 5.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.5%
51% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density800/sq mi
Total Area8.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities846
Restaurants645
Retail Stores816

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.2 min
Work from Home6.1%

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