Melvin, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Melvin is a small town in Illinois with a population of 376. Residents earn $35,000 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
376 Population 1,074/sq mi density
$35,000 Median Income $23,601 per capita
$62,000 Home Value $110,651 Zillow
$817 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$35,000 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$62,000 home value, $817/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,000
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $62,000
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.6%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $817
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.2%
63% higher than US avg

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

People

Population376
Median Age38.6 yrs
Density1,074/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans6.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,000
Per Capita$23,601
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty20.2%
County GDP$1,119M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$62,000
Rent$817
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$110,651
Housing Units234
Rent Burden20.0%

Health

Obesity38.2%
Uninsured9.1%
Smoking16.4%
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain44.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation804 ft (245 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.6%
High School+87.0%
Graduate+6.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute21 min
Broadband86.9%
Libraries4

Is Melvin a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Melvin receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Melvin offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Melvin is $35,000, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Melvin is $62,000, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $817 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Melvin experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches, including 24.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Melvin has a population of 376 with a density of 1,074 people per square mile. The median age is 38.6 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.7%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

376
Total Population
1,074
People / sq mi
38.6yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Melvin vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.0%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.0%
48% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Melvin vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Melvin is $35,000, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Melvin vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,000
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,601
Avg Weekly Wage$1,074
IRS Avg AGI$68,333

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate20.2%
63% above US avg
Establishments (County)367
County GDP$1,119M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare41
Retail47
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,571
59% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Melvin is $62,000, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $817 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $110,651.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$62,000
78% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$110,651

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$817
30% below US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.5%
Housing Units234
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,571
59% above US avg
Effective Rate8.99%
In Melvin, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.1% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 24.1% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD7.5%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.6%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress13.6%
Short Sleep39.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Uninsured9.1%
6% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits59.5%
Premature Death9,101/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access69.2%
Healthcare Facilities41
Melvin has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.4 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall24.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation804 ft (245 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density1,074/sq mi
Coordinates40.5710°N, 88.2470°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17053
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.9-point margin. 86.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 47.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.6%
57% below US avg
High School+87.0%
Graduate Degree+6.5%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,074/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.9%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants34
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Drive Alone90.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.8%

Nearby Cities

Gibson City, IL 3,609 pop · 10.0 mi Chatsworth, IL 1,161 pop · 10.8 mi Paxton, IL 4,201 pop · 10.9 mi Forrest, IL 1,008 pop · 15.1 mi Onarga, IL 1,362 pop · 15.9 mi Gilman, IL 1,576 pop · 18.4 mi Fisher, IL 1,600 pop · 18.5 mi Fairbury, IL 3,683 pop · 18.6 mi Rantoul, IL 12,515 pop · 19.2 mi Lake of the Woods, IL 1,976 pop · 26.1 mi Mahomet, IL 9,755 pop · 27.4 mi Chenoa, IL 1,559 pop · 27.7 mi Lexington, IL 2,074 pop · 28.7 mi Milford, IL 1,136 pop · 29.2 mi
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