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Potomac, IL

Illinois

Potomac is a small town in Illinois with a population of 612. Residents earn $52,404 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
612 Population 1,249/sq mi density
$52,404 Median Income $34,756 per capita
$79,600 Home Value $136,054 Zillow
$742 Median Rent 22.0% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$52,404 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$79,600 home value, $742/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,404
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $79,600
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.8%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $742
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.2%
66% lower than US avg

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

People

Population612
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density1,249/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans12.7%

Economy

A
Median Income$52,404
Per Capita$34,756
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty4.2%
County GDP$4,180M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$79,600
Rent$742
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,054
Housing Units297
Rent Burden22.0%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property816/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary272/100K

Health

Obesity40.0%
Uninsured7.7%
Smoking14.7%
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation682 ft (208 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.8%
High School+91.1%
Graduate+3.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute30 min
Broadband88.2%
Libraries10

Is Potomac a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Potomac receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Potomac offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Potomac is $52,404, 30% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. Only 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Potomac is $79,600, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $742 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Potomac is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 816 per 100,000, 58% below the national average.

Education

10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Potomac experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 20.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Potomac has a population of 612 with a density of 1,249 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.1%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

612
Total Population
1,249
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Potomac vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Potomac vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Potomac is $52,404, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Potomac vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,404
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,756
Avg Weekly Wage$1,050
IRS Avg AGI$57,745

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.2%
66% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,313
County GDP$4,180M

Business (County)

Restaurants146
Healthcare150
Retail212
Manufacturing72

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,912
40% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.2 min
Drive Alone87.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Potomac is $79,600, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $742 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,054.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$79,600
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,054
Median List Price$199,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$199,000
$/Sq Ft$79
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$742
36% below US avg
Rent Burden22.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.4%
Housing Units297
Median Year Built1959

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,912
40% above US avg
Effective Rate6.17%
In Potomac, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.7% of residents lack health insurance. 14.7% are current smokers. 24.5% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.4%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.7%
5% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress12.7%
Short Sleep34.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Uninsured7.7%
10% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.3%
Dental Visits62.0%
Premature Death12,430/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access68.4%
Healthcare Facilities150
Potomac has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 816 per 100,000 (58% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property816.3/100K
58% below US avg
Burglary272.1/100K
Theft544.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Potomac has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.3°F
3% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall20.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation682 ft (208 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,249/sq mi
Coordinates40.3067°N, 87.7976°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17183
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 10.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.7-point margin. 88.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 31.4%

Winner: Republican by 35.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.8%
68% below US avg
High School+91.1%
Graduate Degree+3.8%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,249/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.2%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities150
Restaurants146
Retail Stores212

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.2 min
Drive Alone87.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

Rossville, IL 1,246 pop · 8.5 mi Hoopeston, IL 5,039 pop · 12.8 mi Oakwood, IL 1,243 pop · 13.6 mi Danville, IL 28,663 pop · 15.0 mi Tilton, IL 2,537 pop · 16.8 mi Catlin, IL 2,161 pop · 17.2 mi St. Joseph, IL 3,833 pop · 18.3 mi Rantoul, IL 12,515 pop · 18.8 mi Paxton, IL 4,201 pop · 19.1 mi Westville, IL 3,442 pop · 20.0 mi Homer, IL 1,130 pop · 20.7 mi Milford, IL 1,136 pop · 22.8 mi Covington, IN 3,112 pop · 24.3 mi Urbana, IL 38,447 pop · 25.1 mi
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