Sycamore, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Sycamore is a small city in Illinois with a population of 18,243. Residents earn $80,837 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
18,243 Population 1,803/sq mi density
$80,837 Median Income $40,963 per capita
$254,200 Home Value $308,533 Zillow
$1,062 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
91 Violent Crime/100K 1,186 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$80,837 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$254,200 home value, $1,062/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
91 violent crimes/100K (76% below avg)
A
Education
4.5 / 5.0
43.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $80,837
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $254,200
10% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 91/100K
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 43.6%
29% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,062
9% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.9%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.6%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population18,243
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density1,803/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A
Median Income$80,837
Per Capita$40,963
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty8.6%
County GDP$5,661M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$254,200
Rent$1,062
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$308,533

Crime

F
Violent91/100K
Property1,186/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault86/100K
Burglary120/100K

Health

Obesity33.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.3 in/yr
Elevation835 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+43.6%
High School+95.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 50%
Commute26 min
EV Stations4
Libraries11

Is Sycamore a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sycamore receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Sycamore offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sycamore is $80,837, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 8.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sycamore is $254,200, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,062 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Sycamore is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,186 per 100,000, 39% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 43.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Sycamore experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches, including 33.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Sycamore has a population of 18,243 with a density of 1,803 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 3.5% Black.

Population

18,243
Total Population
1,803
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
10.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Sycamore vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.4%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.6%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sycamore vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sycamore is $80,837, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Sycamore vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$80,837
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,963
Avg Weekly Wage$1,094
IRS Avg AGI$71,774

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.6%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,988
County GDP$5,661M

Business (County)

Restaurants212
Healthcare224
Retail253
Manufacturing100

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.4 min
Work from Home12.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Sycamore is $254,200, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,062 (9% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $308,533.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$254,200
10% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$308,533
Median List Price$325,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$325,000
$/Sq Ft$177
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio99.4%
Price Drops21.9%
Inventory64

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,062
9% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,700

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,219
106% above US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Sycamore, 33.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 19.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.9%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma10.2%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity19.0%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.3%
Checkup Rate76.0%
Premature Death7,708/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access78.8%
Healthcare Facilities224
Sycamore has a violent crime rate of 91 per 100,000 residents, 76% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,186 per 100,000 (39% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent91.2/100K
76% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape5.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault85.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,185.9/100K
39% below US avg
Burglary119.7/100K
Theft1,037.6/100K
Vehicle Theft28.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sycamore has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.3 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall33.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation835 ft (255 m)
Area10.1 sq mi (26.2 km²)
Population Density1,803/sq mi
Coordinates41.9967°N, 88.6776°W
County FIPS17037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 43.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.1%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+43.6%
29% above US avg
High School+95.9%
School Test Score5.34
A Education Grade (4.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,803/sq mi
Total Area10.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities224
Restaurants212
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.4 min
Work from Home12.7%

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