Princeton, IL

Illinois

Princeton is a small city in Illinois with a population of 7,829. Residents earn $57,682 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
7,829 Population 950/sq mi density
$57,682 Median Income $35,310 per capita
$131,300 Home Value $165,646 Zillow
$739 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
189 Violent Crime/100K 1,618 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$57,682 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$131,300 home value, $739/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
189 violent crimes/100K (50% below avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,682
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,300
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 189/100K
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.3%
25% lower than US avg
Median Rent $739
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.9%
20% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,829
Median Age45.4 yrs
Density950/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,682
Per Capita$35,310
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty9.9%
County GDP$1,598M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$131,300
Rent$739
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$165,646

Crime

F
Violent189/100K
Property1,618/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault108/100K
Burglary202/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.8 in/yr
Elevation683 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.3%
High School+92.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 37%
Commute17 min
EV Stations5
Libraries14

Is Princeton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Princeton receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Princeton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Princeton is $57,682, 23% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Princeton is $131,300, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $739 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Princeton is below the national average at 189 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,618 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Princeton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.8 inches, including 28.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Princeton has a population of 7,829 with a density of 950 people per square mile. The median age is 45.4 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.5%).

Population

7,829
Total Population
950
People / sq mi
45.4yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
8.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Princeton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Princeton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Princeton is $57,682, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Princeton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,682
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,310
Avg Weekly Wage$1,025
IRS Avg AGI$67,389

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.9%
20% below US avg
Establishments (County)771
County GDP$1,598M

Business (County)

Restaurants77
Healthcare60
Retail95
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,364
53% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.3 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Princeton is $131,300, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $739 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $165,646.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,300
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$165,646
Median List Price$319,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$319,900
$/Sq Ft$116
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops23.1%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$739
36% 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-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,364
53% above US avg
Effective Rate4.09%
In Princeton, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 22.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.8%
Physical Inactivity22.7%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death8,701/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access66.2%
Healthcare Facilities60
Princeton has a violent crime rate of 189 per 100,000 residents, 50% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,618 per 100,000 (17% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent188.7/100K
50% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape27.0/100K
Robbery53.9/100K
Assault107.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,617.7/100K
17% below US avg
Burglary202.2/100K
Theft1,415.5/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson13.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Princeton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.8 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall28.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation683 ft (208 m)
Area8.2 sq mi (21.3 km²)
Population Density950/sq mi
Coordinates41.3806°N, 89.4641°W
County FIPS17011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 25.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (25% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.2%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 24.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.3%
25% below US avg
High School+92.3%
School Test Score5.34
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density950/sq mi
Total Area8.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants77
Retail Stores95

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.3 min
Work from Home6.5%

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