Paxton, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Paxton is a small town in Illinois with a population of 4,201. Residents earn $60,470 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,201 Population 1,382/sq mi density
$60,470 Median Income $31,431 per capita
$116,700 Home Value $145,881 Zillow
$922 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
295 Violent Crime/100K 1,250 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,470 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,700 home value, $922/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
295 violent crimes/100K (22% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,470
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $116,700
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 295/100K
22% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.1%
37% lower than US avg
Median Rent $922
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.9%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,201
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density1,382/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,470
Per Capita$31,431
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$1,119M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$116,700
Rent$922
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,881

Crime

F
Violent295/100K
Property1,250/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault273/100K
Burglary273/100K

Health

Obesity36.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation783 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.1%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute22 min
Libraries4

Is Paxton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paxton receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Paxton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paxton is $60,470, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 5.9% 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 Paxton is $116,700, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $922 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Paxton is below the national average at 295 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,250 per 100,000, 36% below the national average.

Education

21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Paxton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 18.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Paxton has a population of 4,201 with a density of 1,382 people per square mile. The median age is 39.0 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%).

Population

4,201
Total Population
1,382
People / sq mi
39.0yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.2%
Female 47.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Paxton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.1%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.9%
63% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paxton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paxton is $60,470, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Paxton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,470
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,431
Avg Weekly Wage$1,074
IRS Avg AGI$68,333

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.9%
52% below 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 Rate4.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Paxton is $116,700, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $922 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,881.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$116,700
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,881

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$922
21% 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-Occupied70.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,571
59% above US avg
Effective Rate4.77%
In Paxton, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.0% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes9.2%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.4%
Asthma10.7%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.5%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death9,101/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access69.2%
Healthcare Facilities41
Paxton has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100,000 residents, 22% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,250 per 100,000 (36% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent295.5/100K
22% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault272.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,250.0/100K
36% below US avg
Burglary272.7/100K
Theft909.1/100K
Vehicle Theft68.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Paxton has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall18.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation783 ft (239 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.9 km²)
Population Density1,382/sq mi
Coordinates40.4563°N, 88.1034°W
County FIPS17053
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73%
D 25.1%

Winner: Republican by 47.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.1%
37% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,382/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities41
Restaurants34
Retail Stores47

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Work from Home8.8%

Nearby Cities

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