Illinois · Metropolitan Area
Oswego is a mid-size city in Illinois with a population of 35,463. Residents earn $119,881 per year, which is 60% above the national average.
Based on current data, Oswego receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Oswego offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Oswego is $119,881, which is significantly higher than the national average — 60% above $75,149. This places Oswego among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.
The median home value in Oswego is $319,000, 13% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,823 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Oswego is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 80 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,528 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 43.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.
Oswego experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 27.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 77.7% |
| 1% below US avg | |
| Spanish | 22.3% |
| 66% above US avg |
| Median HH Income | $119,881 |
| 60% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $46,279 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $985 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $87,438 |
| Unemployment | 1.9% |
| 47% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 1.3% |
| 90% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,463 |
| County GDP | $5,408M |
| Restaurants | 235 |
| Healthcare | 218 |
| Retail | 253 |
| Manufacturing | 85 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $8,287 |
| 137% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.60% |
| Commute Time | 30.5 min |
| Work from Home | 16.2% |
| Census Median | $319,000 |
| 13% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $413,257 |
| Median List Price | $432,490 |
| Median List Price | $432,490 |
| $/Sq Ft | $214 |
| Homes Sold | 21 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.3% |
| Price Drops | 8.3% |
| Inventory | 96 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,823 |
| 57% above US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $2,488 |
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
| Owner-Occupied | 87.7% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $8,287 |
| 137% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 2.60% |
| Obesity | 37.6% |
| 17% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.4% |
| Heart Disease | 4.3% |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.2% |
| Asthma | 9.6% |
| COPD | 4.4% |
| Stroke | 2.3% |
| Binge Drinking | 20.5% |
| Physical Inactivity | 17.8% |
| Depression | 20.0% |
| Mental Distress | 15.4% |
| Physical Distress | 10.2% |
| Insurance Rate | 96.1% |
| Checkup Rate | 76.7% |
| Premature Death | 4,543/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.2/10 |
| Exercise Access | 90.7% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 218 |
| Total Violent | 79.8/100K |
| 79% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 33.7/100K |
| Robbery | 9.2/100K |
| Assault | 36.8/100K |
| Total Property | 1,527.7/100K |
| 22% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 122.7/100K |
| Theft | 1,389.6/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 15.3/100K |
| Arson | 18.4/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 6 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.2°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 39.5 inches |
| 4% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 27.9 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Area | 15.8 sq mi (41.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,240/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6832°N, 88.3388°W |
| County FIPS | 17093 |
Winner: Democrat by 1.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% |
| 29% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 94.8% |
| School Test Score | 5.34 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 2,240/sq mi |
| Total Area | 15.8 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 5 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 8 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 218 |
| Restaurants | 235 |
| Retail Stores | 253 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 6 |
| Avg Commute | 30.5 min |
| Work from Home | 16.2% |