Riverdale, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Riverdale is a small city in Illinois with a population of 10,515. Residents earn $45,709 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
10,515 Population 2,937/sq mi density
$45,709 Median Income $20,642 per capita
$104,800 Home Value $108,794 Zillow
$1,204 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
1,144 Violent Crime/100K 3,043 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$45,709 median income, 8.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,800 home value, $1,204/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,144 violent crimes/100K (201% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,709
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,800
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,144/100K
201% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.2%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,204
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.6%
42% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.6%
139% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.5%
122% higher than US avg

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

People

Population10,515
Median Age33.5 yrs
Density2,937/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 4%

Economy

D
Median Income$45,709
Per Capita$20,642
Unemployment8.6%
Poverty27.5%
County GDP$546,441M
Commute36 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,800
Rent$1,204
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$108,794

Crime

F
Violent1,144/100K
Property3,043/100K
Murder29.3/100K
Assault367/100K
Burglary1,136/100K

Health

Obesity45.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.3%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.9 in/yr
Elevation602 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.2%
High School+91.2%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute36 min
Libraries188

Is Riverdale a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Riverdale receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Riverdale has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Riverdale is $45,709, 39% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.6%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 27.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Riverdale is $104,800, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,144 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,043 per 100,000, 55% above the national average.

Education

17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Riverdale experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches, including 38.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Riverdale has a population of 10,515 with a density of 2,937 people per square mile. The median age is 33.5 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (88%), with 4% White.

Population

10,515
Total Population
2,937
People / sq mi
33.5yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Riverdale vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.9%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.1%
77% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Riverdale vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Riverdale is $45,709, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 27.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Riverdale vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,709
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,642
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
IRS Avg AGI$100,597

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.6%
139% above US avg
Poverty Rate27.5%
122% above US avg
Establishments (County)137,804
County GDP$546,441M

Business (County)

Restaurants12,631
Healthcare16,051
Retail13,648
Manufacturing4,404

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate9.94%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.6 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Riverdale is $104,800, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,204 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $108,794.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,800
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$108,794
Median List Price$124,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$124,950
$/Sq Ft$68
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio93.5%
Price Drops21.2%
Inventory52

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,204
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,233

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied53.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Rate9.94%
In Riverdale, 45.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.3% report depression. 34.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.6%
42% above US avg
Diabetes18.2%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure43.5%
Asthma13.5%
COPD8.9%
Stroke5.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.5%
Physical Inactivity34.8%
Depression19.3%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate81.4%
Premature Death8,536/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Riverdale has a violent crime rate of 1,144 per 100,000 residents, 201% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,043 per 100,000 (55% above US avg). The murder rate is 29.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,143.7/100K
201% above US avg
Murder29.3/100K
366% above US avg
Rape66.0/100K
Robbery681.8/100K
Assault366.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,042.5/100K
55% above US avg
Burglary1,136.4/100K
Theft1,627.6/100K
Vehicle Theft278.6/100K
Arson14.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Riverdale has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.9 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall38.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation602 ft (183 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
Population Density2,937/sq mi
Coordinates41.6427°N, 87.6356°W
County FIPS17031
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 42-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 28.4%
D 70.4%

Winner: Democrat by 42 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.2%
49% below US avg
High School+91.2%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,937/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries188
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Restaurants12,631
Retail Stores13,648

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.6 min
Work from Home7.4%

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