Palos Park, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Palos Park is a small town in Illinois with a population of 4,832. Residents earn $126,263 per year, which is 68% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
4,832 Population 749/sq mi density
$126,263 Median Income $83,954 per capita
$469,900 Home Value $513,372 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
20 Violent Crime/100K 610 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$126,263 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$469,900 home value
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
20 violent crimes/100K (95% below avg)
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
49.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $126,263
68% higher than US avg
Home Value $469,900
67% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 20/100K
95% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 49.0%
45% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.3%
15% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.2%
82% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,832
Median Age60.6 yrs
Density749/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$126,263
Per Capita$83,954
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty2.2%
County GDP$50,333M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$469,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$513,372

Crime

F
Violent20/100K
Property610/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault20/100K
Burglary20/100K

Health

Obesity27.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.3%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Elevation691 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+49.0%
High School+96.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute31 min
Libraries24

Is Palos Park a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palos Park 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. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Palos Park offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palos Park is $126,263, which is significantly higher than the national average — 68% above $75,149. This places Palos Park among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palos Park is $469,900, making it a premium housing market at 67% above the U.S. median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Palos Park is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 20 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 610 per 100,000, 69% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 49.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Palos Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Palos Park has a population of 4,832 with a density of 749 people per square mile. The median age is 60.6 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.1%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 3.8% Black.

Population

4,832
Total Population
749
People / sq mi
60.6yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
6.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Palos Park vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.3%
7% above US avg
Spanish15.7%
17% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Palos Park vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palos Park is $126,263, which is 68% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Palos Park vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$126,263
68% above US avg
Per Capita Income$83,954
Avg Weekly Wage$1,165
IRS Avg AGI$93,451

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.2%
82% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,924
County GDP$50,333M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,360
Healthcare1,994
Retail1,683
Manufacturing594

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,020
158% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.4 min
Work from Home29.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palos Park is $469,900, 67% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $513,372.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$469,900
67% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$513,372
Median List Price$711,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$711,900
$/Sq Ft$294
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops23.1%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied90.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,020
158% above US avg
Effective Rate1.92%
In Palos Park, 27.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.3% report depression. 16.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.3%
15% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure24.9%
Asthma9.9%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity16.7%
Depression22.3%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress10.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death6,358/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access93.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,994
Palos Park has a violent crime rate of 20 per 100,000 residents, 95% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 610 per 100,000 (69% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent20.3/100K
95% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault20.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property610.0/100K
69% below US avg
Burglary20.3/100K
Theft589.7/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Palos Park has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation691 ft (211 m)
Area6.5 sq mi (16.7 km²)
Population Density749/sq mi
Coordinates41.6662°N, 87.8296°W
County FIPS17197
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 49.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 1.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.5%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 1.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+49.0%
45% above US avg
High School+96.3%
School Test Score5.34
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density749/sq mi
Total Area6.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities1,994
Restaurants1,360
Retail Stores1,683

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.4 min
Work from Home29.9%

Nearby Cities

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