Melrose Park, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Melrose Park is a small city in Illinois with a population of 24,513. Residents earn $64,740 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
24,513 Population 5,635/sq mi density
$64,740 Median Income $28,664 per capita
$265,000 Home Value $299,810 Zillow
$1,194 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
106 Violent Crime/100K 1,511 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$64,740 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$265,000 home value, $1,194/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
106 violent crimes/100K (72% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,740
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $265,000
6% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 106/100K
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,194
3% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.7%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.6%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population24,513
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density5,635/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 30%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,740
Per Capita$28,664
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty8.6%
County GDP$546,441M
Commute28 min

Housing

A
Home Value$265,000
Rent$1,194
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$299,810

Crime

F
Violent106/100K
Property1,511/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault63/100K
Burglary188/100K

Health

Obesity34.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.5%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation632 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+70.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute28 min
EV Stations5
Libraries188

Is Melrose Park a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melrose Park receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Melrose Park has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melrose Park is $64,740, 14% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melrose Park is $265,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,194 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Melrose Park is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,511 per 100,000, 23% below the national average.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 70.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Melrose Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 38.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Melrose Park has a population of 24,513 with a density of 5,635 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (29.6%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 3.8% Black.

Population

24,513
Total Population
5,635
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
4.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.7%
Female 47.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Melrose Park vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only27.9%
64% below US avg
Spanish72.1%
438% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Melrose Park vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melrose Park is $64,740, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Melrose Park vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,740
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,664
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
IRS Avg AGI$100,597

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.6%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)137,804
County GDP$546,441M

Business (County)

Restaurants12,631
Healthcare16,051
Retail13,648
Manufacturing4,404

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Melrose Park is $265,000, 6% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,194 (3% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $299,810.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$265,000
6% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$299,810
Median List Price$404,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$404,950
$/Sq Ft$218
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio100.1%
Price Drops7.4%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,194
3% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,550

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Rate3.93%
In Melrose Park, 34.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.5% report depression. 31.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Melrose Park vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.7%
8% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure28.9%
Asthma9.3%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity31.9%
Depression18.5%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.1%
Checkup Rate73.4%
Premature Death8,536/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Melrose Park has a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, 72% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,511 per 100,000 (23% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent105.7/100K
72% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape11.8/100K
Robbery31.3/100K
Assault62.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,511.3/100K
23% below US avg
Burglary187.9/100K
Theft1,186.3/100K
Vehicle Theft137.0/100K
Arson7.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Melrose Park has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.3°F
5% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall38.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation632 ft (193 m)
Area4.4 sq mi (11.3 km²)
Population Density5,635/sq mi
Coordinates41.9030°N, 87.8636°W
County FIPS17031
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 42-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 28.4%
D 70.4%

Winner: Democrat by 42 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+70.5%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,635/sq mi
Total Area4.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries188
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Restaurants12,631
Retail Stores13,648

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Melrose Park with another city: