Paw Paw, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Paw Paw is a small town in Illinois with a population of 911. Residents earn $63,833 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
911 Population 1,518/sq mi density
$63,833 Median Income $30,096 per capita
$151,100 Home Value $220,199 Zillow
$847 Median Rent 19.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$63,833 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$151,100 home value, $847/mo rent
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,833
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $151,100
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.7%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $847
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.3%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population911
Median Age36.6 yrs
Density1,518/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,833
Per Capita$30,096
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty1.3%
County GDP$5,661M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$151,100
Rent$847
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$220,199
Rent Burden19.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.8 in/yr
Elevation938 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.7%
High School+96.4%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute38 min
Broadband90.8%
Libraries11

Is Paw Paw a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paw Paw receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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 long commute times. Paw Paw offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paw Paw is $63,833, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paw Paw is $151,100, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $847 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Paw Paw experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.8 inches, including 30.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Paw Paw has a population of 911 with a density of 1,518 people per square mile. The median age is 36.6 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.6%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

911
Total Population
1,518
People / sq mi
36.6yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.6%
Female 45.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paw Paw vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paw Paw is $63,833, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Paw Paw vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,833
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,096
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$71,774

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.3%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,988
County GDP$5,661M

Business (County)

Restaurants212
Healthcare224
Retail253
Manufacturing100

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.2 min
Drive Alone86.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Paw Paw is $151,100, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $847 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,199.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$151,100
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$220,199

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$847
27% below US avg
Rent Burden19.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Rate4.78%
In Paw Paw, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 22.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.7%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity22.8%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death7,708/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities224

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Paw Paw has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.8 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall30.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation938 ft (286 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density1,518/sq mi
Coordinates41.6882°N, 88.9798°W
County FIPS17037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2-point margin. 90.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.7%
62% below US avg
High School+96.4%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,518/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.8%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities224
Restaurants212
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.2 min
Drive Alone86.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

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