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Sims, IL

Illinois

Sims is a small town in Illinois with a population of 164. Residents earn $47,708 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
164 Population 139/sq mi density
$47,708 Median Income $31,779 per capita
$46,300 Home Value
55°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,708 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$46,300 home value
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,708
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $46,300
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.2%
70% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.0%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.0%
77% higher than US avg

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

People

Population164
Median Age57.1 yrs
Density139/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans0.7%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,708
Per Capita$31,779
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty22.0%
County GDP$679M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$46,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units105
Rent Burden24.3%

Health

Obesity39.0%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking16.4%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation422 ft (129 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.2%
High School+78.9%
Graduate+2.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 85% / D 14%
Commute28 min
Broadband87.0%
Libraries2

Is Sims a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sims is $47,708, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. The poverty rate of 22.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sims is $46,300, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Sims experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 10.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sims has a population of 164 with a density of 139 people per square mile. The median age is 57.1 years, 47% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.2%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

164
Total Population
139
People / sq mi
57.1yrs
Median Age
47% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Sims vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sims vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sims is $47,708, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Sims vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,708
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,779
Avg Weekly Wage$825
IRS Avg AGI$61,895

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.0%
77% above US avg
Establishments (County)379
County GDP$679M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare36
Retail61
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,588
31% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate9.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.5 min
Drive Alone81.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Sims is $46,300, 84% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$46,300
84% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden24.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.7%
Housing Units105
Median Year Built1970

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,588
31% above US avg
Effective Rate9.91%
In Sims, 39.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 23.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.0%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.8%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.3%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity23.1%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress13.5%
Short Sleep38.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,774
Dentists1:3,968
Mental Health1:657
Checkup Rate75.0%
Dental Visits61.9%
Premature Death9,935/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access33.6%
Healthcare Facilities36
Sims has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall10.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation422 ft (129 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density139/sq mi
Coordinates38.3618°N, 88.5355°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17191
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 70.9-point margin. 87.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.9%
D 14%

Winner: Republican by 70.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.2%
70% below US avg
High School+78.9%
Graduate Degree+2.5%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density139/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants36
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.5 min
Drive Alone81.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home14.1%

Nearby Cities

Wayne City, IL 1,050 pop · 3.1 mi Fairfield, IL 4,658 pop · 8.9 mi McLeansboro, IL 2,750 pop · 18.8 mi Mount Vernon, IL 14,492 pop · 21.0 mi Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 21.3 mi Ina, IL 1,600 pop · 24.8 mi Albion, IL 2,107 pop · 25.9 mi Carmi, IL 4,879 pop · 27.4 mi Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 28.2 mi Norris City, IL 1,613 pop · 28.8 mi Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 29.4 mi Grayville, IL 1,515 pop · 30.1 mi Benton, IL 7,076 pop · 31.8 mi Sesser, IL 1,919 pop · 33.7 mi
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