Pontoon Beach, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Pontoon Beach is a small city in Illinois with a population of 6,131. Residents earn $59,375 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
6,131 Population 615/sq mi density
$59,375 Median Income $27,614 per capita
$137,900 Home Value $184,443 Zillow
$1,117 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
88 Violent Crime/100K 2,424 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$59,375 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,900 home value, $1,117/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
88 violent crimes/100K (77% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,375
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $137,900
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 88/100K
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,117
4% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.9%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,131
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density615/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 70%

Economy

B
Median Income$59,375
Per Capita$27,614
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty12.8%
County GDP$40,403M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$137,900
Rent$1,117
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$184,443

Crime

F
Violent88/100K
Property2,424/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault53/100K
Burglary301/100K

Health

Obesity41.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.9 in/yr
Elevation412 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+89.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 17% / D 81%
Commute22 min
EV Stations5
Libraries16

Is Pontoon Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pontoon Beach receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Pontoon Beach has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pontoon Beach is $59,375, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pontoon Beach is $137,900, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,117 per month. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Pontoon Beach is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 88 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,424 per 100,000, 24% above the national average.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Pontoon Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Pontoon Beach has a population of 6,131 with a density of 615 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.6%), with 8.7% Black.

Population

6,131
Total Population
615
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
10.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Pontoon Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.5%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.5%
16% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Pontoon Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pontoon Beach is $59,375, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Pontoon Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,375
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,614
Avg Weekly Wage$1,519
IRS Avg AGI$63,224

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg
Establishments (County)15,318
County GDP$40,403M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,029
Healthcare2,212
Retail810
Manufacturing366

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Pontoon Beach is $137,900, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,117 (4% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $184,443.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$137,900
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$184,443
Median List Price$150,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$150,000
$/Sq Ft$138
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio96.1%
Price Drops10.0%
Inventory10

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,117
4% 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-Occupied67.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,881
39% above US avg
Effective Rate3.54%
In Pontoon Beach, 41.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Pontoon Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.9%
31% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure34.2%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Checkup Rate75.5%
Premature Death15,768/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access98.2%
Healthcare Facilities2,212
Pontoon Beach has a violent crime rate of 88 per 100,000 residents, 77% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,424 per 100,000 (24% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent88.5/100K
77% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape17.7/100K
Robbery17.7/100K
Assault53.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,424.4/100K
24% above US avg
Burglary300.8/100K
Theft1,964.3/100K
Vehicle Theft159.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)71

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Pontoon Beach has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.7°F
3% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.9 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation412 ft (126 m)
Area10.0 sq mi (25.8 km²)
Population Density615/sq mi
Coordinates38.7218°N, 90.0636°W
County FIPS29510
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 64.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 16.7%
D 81.4%

Winner: Democrat by 64.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+89.5%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density615/sq mi
Total Area10.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities2,212
Restaurants1,029
Retail Stores810

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)71
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home5.8%

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