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Prairie City, IL

Illinois

Prairie City is a small town in Illinois with a population of 386. Residents earn $36,250 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
386 Population 382/sq mi density
$36,250 Median Income $21,302 per capita
$80,400 Home Value
$933 Median Rent 27.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$36,250 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,400 home value, $933/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,250
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,400
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $933
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.5%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population386
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density382/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 78%
Veterans11.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$36,250
Per Capita$21,302
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty8.5%
County GDP$1,455M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,400
Rent$933
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units159
Rent Burden27.9%

Health

Obesity39.9%
Uninsured9.6%
Smoking19.5%
Depression25.5%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation666 ft (203 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+89.3%
Graduate+4.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute24 min
Broadband75.5%
Libraries4

Is Prairie City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Prairie City receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Prairie City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Prairie City is $36,250, 52% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Prairie City is $80,400, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $933 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Prairie City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°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 38.5 inches, including 21.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Prairie City has a population of 386 with a density of 382 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.7%), with 2.1% Black.

Population

386
Total Population
382
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.4%
Female 46.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Prairie City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Prairie City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Prairie City is $36,250, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Prairie City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,250
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,302
Avg Weekly Wage$931
IRS Avg AGI$62,557

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.5%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)550
County GDP$1,455M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare66
Retail95
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,316
52% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.61%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Drive Alone94.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Prairie City is $80,400, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $933 (20% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,400
71% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$933
20% below US avg
Rent Burden27.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.4%
Housing Units159
Median Year Built1950

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,316
52% above US avg
Effective Rate6.61%
In Prairie City, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.6% of residents lack health insurance. 19.5% are current smokers. 25.5% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Prairie City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure34.2%
Asthma11.1%
COPD8.7%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.5%
39% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression25.5%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.0%
Short Sleep38.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured9.6%
12% above US avg
Checkup Rate74.5%
Dental Visits52.7%
Premature Death7,860/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access83.0%
Healthcare Facilities66
Prairie City has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall21.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation666 ft (203 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density382/sq mi
Coordinates40.6210°N, 90.4649°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17109
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.9-point margin. 75.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.5%
D 39.7%

Winner: Republican by 18.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+89.3%
Graduate Degree+4.8%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density382/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.5%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities66
Restaurants73
Retail Stores95

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Drive Alone94.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

Bushnell, IL 2,763 pop · 5.2 mi Abingdon, IL 3,424 pop · 13.1 mi Macomb, IL 15,006 pop · 15.5 mi Georgetown, IL 3,105 pop · 17.3 mi Colchester, IL 1,057 pop · 21.9 mi Knoxville, IL 3,137 pop · 21.9 mi Monmouth, IL 8,794 pop · 22.3 mi Lewistown, IL 1,828 pop · 22.4 mi Canton, IL 13,408 pop · 22.8 mi Galesburg, IL 29,653 pop · 23.2 mi Farmington, IL 1,990 pop · 24.8 mi Stronghurst, IL 1,106 pop · 24.8 mi La Harpe, IL 1,085 pop · 26.6 mi Astoria, IL 1,094 pop · 27.8 mi
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