Paxton, IL

Full City Profile · Illinois · Ford County County

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 $156,035 Zillow
$922 Median Rent 25.4% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
232 Violent Crime/100K 556 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, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,700 home value, $922/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
232 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Paxton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. The area receives 18.3 inches of snow annually.

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)

Geography

Elevation783 ft (239 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density1,382/sq mi
Coordinates40.4563°N, 88.1034°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyFord County County
Nearest AirportVermilion Regional (DNV)
32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.9"
0% below US avg
Snowfall 18.3"
Wettest Month (May) 4.51"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.92"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score26.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability39.2 / 100
Community Resilience91.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M3.3 on May 13, 2025.

Jun 28, 2004 12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois M4.2 130 km
Jun 17, 2021 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.8 98 km
Apr 14, 2000 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana M3.6 139 km
May 13, 2025 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois M3.3 124 km
Dec 17, 1990 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.2 100 km
Jul 15, 2024 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois M3.1 142 km
Dec 16, 1996 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana M3.1 122 km
Mar 15, 2025 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois M2.6 78 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

682 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 37 fatalities, 800 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994 EF4 98 km 3
May 5, 1977 EF4 100 km 0
Mar 20, 1976 EF4 93 km 0
Mar 20, 1976 EF4 94 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 83 km 18
Apr 17, 1963 EF4 81 km 1
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 98 km 0
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 25 km 0
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 71 km 0
Jun 5, 2010 EF3 89 km 0
Jun 5, 2010 EF3 74 km 0
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 40 km 1
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 45 km 0
Apr 2, 1982 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 2, 1980 EF3 97 km 1
Jun 25, 1978 EF3 96 km 0
Mar 12, 1976 EF3 69 km 1
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 56 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 56 km 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 54 km 1
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 UNNAMED 1,602 74 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 2.0 in Coldest
February 28°F (-2°C) 1.9 in Driest
March 39°F (4°C) 2.6 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.7 in
May 62°F (17°C) 4.5 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in
July 73°F (23°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.5 in
September 65°F (19°C) 3.0 in
October 53°F (12°C) 3.3 in
November 40°F (5°C) 2.9 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 2.2 in

Paxton has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (1.9").

View full weather details →