Ransom, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Ransom is a small town in Illinois with a population of 312. Residents earn $69,250 per year, which is 8% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
312 Population 312/sq mi density
$69,250 Median Income $35,376 per capita
$101,500 Home Value $201,159 Zillow
$700 Median Rent 16.9% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$69,250 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,500 home value, $700/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,250
8% lower than US avg
Home Value $101,500
64% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.7%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $700
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.4%
16% higher than US avg

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

People

Population312
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density312/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans5.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$69,250
Per Capita$35,376
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty14.4%
County GDP$6,044M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$101,500
Rent$700
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$201,159
Housing Units127
Rent Burden16.9%

Health

Obesity36.7%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking15.1%
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation707 ft (215 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.7%
High School+96.7%
Graduate+7.0%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute33 min
Broadband80.2%
Libraries3

Is Ransom a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ransom receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Ransom offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ransom is $69,250, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 14.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ransom is $101,500, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 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.

Education

14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Ransom experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.4 inches, including 26.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ransom has a population of 312 with a density of 312 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.4%).

Population

312
Total Population
312
People / sq mi
35.5yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.8%
Female 46.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ransom vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.7%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.3%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ransom vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ransom is $69,250, which is 8% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Ransom vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,250
8% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,376
Avg Weekly Wage$1,344
IRS Avg AGI$81,890

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.4%
16% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,204
County GDP$6,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants130
Healthcare145
Retail162
Manufacturing43

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,618
89% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.52%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.0 min
Drive Alone90.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ransom is $101,500, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $700 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $201,159.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$101,500
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$201,159

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$700
40% below US avg
Rent Burden16.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.5%
Housing Units127
Median Year Built1946

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,618
89% above US avg
Effective Rate6.52%
In Ransom, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 15.1% are current smokers. 23.6% report depression. 22.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.1%
8% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity22.1%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep36.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.1%
Dental Visits61.7%
Premature Death7,576/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access78.7%
Healthcare Facilities145
Ransom has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.7°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.4 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall26.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation707 ft (215 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density312/sq mi
Coordinates41.1586°N, 88.6542°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17063
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.6-point margin. 80.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.1%
D 34.5%

Winner: Republican by 29.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.7%
56% below US avg
High School+96.7%
Graduate Degree+7.0%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density312/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.2%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities145
Restaurants130
Retail Stores162

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.0 min
Drive Alone90.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.7%

Nearby Cities

Marseilles, IL 4,071 pop · 8.7 mi Streator, IL 12,274 pop · 9.4 mi Seneca, IL 2,525 pop · 10.2 mi Dwight, IL 3,794 pop · 12.8 mi Mazon, IL 1,424 pop · 13.3 mi Ottawa, IL 18,714 pop · 16.1 mi Gardner, IL 1,319 pop · 18.0 mi Pontiac, IL 11,483 pop · 18.6 mi Morris, IL 14,775 pop · 19.4 mi Coal City, IL 5,145 pop · 21.1 mi Wenona, IL 1,006 pop · 22.1 mi Diamond, IL 2,900 pop · 22.7 mi North Utica, IL 1,215 pop · 23.3 mi Oglesby, IL 3,723 pop · 23.6 mi
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