University Park, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

University Park is a small city in Illinois with a population of 7,109. Residents earn $65,580 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
7,109 Population 663/sq mi density
$65,580 Median Income $25,435 per capita
$137,800 Home Value $186,510 Zillow
$1,530 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$65,580 median income, 10.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,800 home value, $1,530/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,580
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $137,800
51% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.3%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,530
32% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 48.8%
52% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.7%
197% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.8%
5% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,109
Median Age32.4 yrs
Density663/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 10%

Economy

C+
Median Income$65,580
Per Capita$25,435
Unemployment10.7%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$50,333M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$137,800
Rent$1,530
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$186,510

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity48.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.5%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain42.1 in/yr
Elevation774 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.3%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute35 min
Libraries24

Is University Park a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, University Park receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. University Park offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in University Park is $65,580, 13% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.7%, unemployment is notably high. 11.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in University Park is $137,800, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,530 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

University Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.1 inches, including 28.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

University Park has a population of 7,109 with a density of 663 people per square mile. The median age is 32.4 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (84.8%), with 10% White.

Population

7,109
Total Population
663
People / sq mi
32.4yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
10.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.7%
Female 57.3%

Race & Ethnicity

University Park vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

University Park vs U.S. Average

The median household income in University Park is $65,580, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: University Park vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,580
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,435
Avg Weekly Wage$1,165
IRS Avg AGI$93,451

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.7%
197% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.8%
5% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,924
County GDP$50,333M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,360
Healthcare1,994
Retail1,683
Manufacturing594

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$9,020
158% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.9 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in University Park is $137,800, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,530 (32% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $186,510.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$137,800
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$186,510
Median List Price$219,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,000
$/Sq Ft$101
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops23.3%
Inventory30

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,530
32% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$9,020
158% above US avg
Effective Rate6.55%
In University Park, 48.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.5% report depression. 30.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: University Park vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity48.8%
52% above US avg
Diabetes14.5%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure40.5%
Asthma12.7%
COPD6.1%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity30.7%
Depression17.5%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate81.5%
Premature Death6,358/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access93.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,994

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59

Safety Score

University Park has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.1 inches
11% above US avg
Snowfall28.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation774 ft (236 m)
Area10.7 sq mi (27.8 km²)
Population Density663/sq mi
Coordinates41.4469°N, 87.7130°W
County FIPS17197
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 1.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.5%
D 50.1%

Winner: Democrat by 1.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.3%
28% below US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density663/sq mi
Total Area10.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities1,994
Restaurants1,360
Retail Stores1,683

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)59

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.9 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

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