Sims, IL

Full City Profile · Illinois · Wayne County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
164 Population 139/sq mi density
$47,708 Median Income $31,779 per capita
$46,300 Home Value $140,131 Zillow
57°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$47,708 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$46,300 home value, /mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Sims enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.0 inches. The area receives 11.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.1°F
6% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation422 ft (129 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density139/sq mi
Coordinates38.3618°N, 88.5355°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWayne County County
Nearest AirportLawrenceville-Vincennes International (LWV)
57 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.0"
21% above US avg
Snowfall 11.9"
Wettest Month (Apr) 5.00"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.68"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score40.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability32.0 / 100
Community Resilience53.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

77 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.2. Most recent: M2.6 on Aug 9, 2025.

Apr 18, 2008 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M5.2 57 km
Apr 18, 2008 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M4.7 59 km
Jun 18, 2002 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana M4.6 79 km
Feb 5, 1994 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois M4.2 125 km
Apr 21, 2008 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M4.0 58 km
Dec 7, 2000 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana M3.9 90 km
Sep 19, 2017 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois M3.8 55 km
Nov 11, 1991 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois M3.8 94 km
Apr 25, 2008 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M3.7 59 km
Jan 2, 2006 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois M3.6 59 km
Nov 20, 2012 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois M3.6 56 km
May 1, 2016 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois M3.5 134 km
Jun 5, 2008 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois M3.4 61 km
Mar 2, 1990 9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois M3.4 77 km
May 30, 2015 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois M3.4 19 km
May 1, 2008 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois M3.3 60 km
May 13, 2025 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois M3.3 112 km
Dec 27, 1992 2 km E of Pocahontas, Missouri M3.2 135 km
Oct 24, 1990 5 km ENE of Woodlawn, Illinois M3.2 38 km
Apr 6, 1994 2 km NE of Tamaroa, Illinois M3.2 64 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

494 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 72 fatalities, 986 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Dec 18, 1957 EF5 70 km 1
Nov 17, 2013 EF4 80 km 2
Feb 29, 2012 EF4 75 km 8
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 24 km 0
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 69 km 0
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 93 km 6
Jun 2, 1990 EF4 14 km 1
Jan 7, 1989 EF4 67 km 0
May 29, 1982 EF4 81 km 10
Dec 18, 1957 EF4 48 km 1
Jul 9, 2024 EF3 76 km 0
May 26, 2024 EF3 97 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 73 km 6
Feb 28, 2017 EF3 44 km 1
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 90 km 0
Nov 6, 2005 EF3 89 km 24
Apr 21, 2002 EF3 17 km 1
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 30 km 0
Nov 19, 1991 EF3 78 km 0
Apr 3, 1989 EF3 80 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: RED SHALE UNIT RX (2,123 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 RED SHALE UNIT RX 2,123 90 km
2021 GAP VIEW RX 1,575 92 km
2022 DENNISON HOLLOW RX 1,573 79 km
2021 UNNAMED 1,510 96 km
2022 ONE HORSE GAP RX 1,502 95 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,493 77 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,447 81 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,299 95 km
2024 RED SHALE RX 1,259 91 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,216 95 km
2013 UNNAMED 1,203 94 km
2022 KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX 1,115 100 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,008 94 km
2024 CAVE HILL RX 999 77 km
2017 UNNAMED 994 81 km
2021 ONE HORSE GAP RX 865 94 km
2024 HAMPTON NORTH RX 807 88 km
2019 HARRIS BRANCH RX 716 93 km
2024 HERRIN FLATS RX 713 87 km
2010 ONE HORSE GAP 687 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 33°F (0°C) 3.3 in Coldest
February 37°F (3°C) 2.7 in Driest
March 47°F (8°C) 4.2 in
April 58°F (14°C) 5.0 in Wettest
May 67°F (19°C) 5.0 in
June 76°F (24°C) 4.7 in
July 79°F (26°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 3.5 in
September 70°F (21°C) 2.9 in
October 59°F (15°C) 3.7 in
November 46°F (8°C) 3.8 in
December 37°F (3°C) 3.3 in

Sims has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 33°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (2.7").

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