Palestine, IL

Illinois

Palestine is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,396. Residents earn $60,000 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,396 Population 1,767/sq mi density
$60,000 Median Income $29,970 per capita
$75,800 Home Value $106,877 Zillow
$755 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
676 Violent Crime/100K 1,653 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,000 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,800 home value, $755/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
676 violent crimes/100K (78% above avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,000
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,800
73% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 676/100K
78% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.5%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $755
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.6%
71% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,396
Median Age47.6 yrs
Density1,767/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,000
Per Capita$29,970
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty3.6%
County GDP$1,657M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,800
Rent$755
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$106,877

Crime

F
Violent676/100K
Property1,653/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault526/100K
Burglary225/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.4%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.3 in/yr
Elevation451 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.5%
High School+92.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute22 min
Libraries5

Is Palestine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palestine receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Palestine offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palestine is $60,000, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palestine is $75,800, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $755 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 676 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,653 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

10.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Palestine experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches, including 11.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Palestine has a population of 1,396 with a density of 1,767 people per square mile. The median age is 47.6 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.6%), with 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

1,396
Total Population
1,767
People / sq mi
47.6yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Palestine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Palestine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palestine is $60,000, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Palestine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,000
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,970
Avg Weekly Wage$1,186
IRS Avg AGI$70,893

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.6%
71% below US avg
Establishments (County)424
County GDP$1,657M

Business (County)

Restaurants42
Healthcare35
Retail59
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,035
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Palestine is $75,800, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $755 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $106,877.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,800
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$106,877

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$755
35% 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-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,035
15% above US avg
Effective Rate5.32%
In Palestine, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.4% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression25.4%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death7,129/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access58.3%
Healthcare Facilities35
Palestine has a violent crime rate of 676 per 100,000 residents, 78% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,653 per 100,000 (16% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent676.2/100K
78% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape150.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault525.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,652.9/100K
16% below US avg
Burglary225.4/100K
Theft1,352.4/100K
Vehicle Theft75.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Palestine has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.1°F
2% above US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.3 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall11.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation451 ft (137 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Coordinates39.0016°N, 87.6126°W
County FIPS17033
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 10.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.4%
D 22.9%

Winner: Republican by 52.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.5%
69% below US avg
High School+92.5%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,767/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities35
Restaurants42
Retail Stores59

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

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