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West City, IL

Illinois

West City is a small town in Illinois with a population of 612. Residents earn $48,672 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
612 Population 380/sq mi density
$48,672 Median Income $31,783 per capita
$60,000 Home Value
$867 Median Rent 22.3% income on rent
57°F Avg Temperature 305 sunny days/yr
1,534 Violent Crime/100K 14,724 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$48,672 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$60,000 home value, $867/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,534 violent crimes/100K (304% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,672
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $60,000
79% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,534/100K
304% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.5%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

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

People

Population612
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density380/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans7.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,672
Per Capita$31,783
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$1,362M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$60,000
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units299
Rent Burden22.3%

Crime

F
Violent1,534/100K
Property14,724/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault1,534/100K
Burglary1,687/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
Uninsured9.1%
Smoking17.7%
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F (14°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.6 in/yr
Sunny Days305/yr
Elevation442 ft (135 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.5%
High School+91.9%
Graduate+3.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute19 min
Broadband78.3%
EV Stations1
Libraries6

Is West City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West City receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. West City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West City is $48,672, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West City is $60,000, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,534 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 14,724 per 100,000, 651% above the national average.

Education

13.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

West City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 305 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

West City has a population of 612 with a density of 380 people per square mile. The median age is 39.7 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.9%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

612
Total Population
380
People / sq mi
39.7yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

West City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West City is $48,672, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: West City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,672
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,783
Avg Weekly Wage$900
IRS Avg AGI$56,631

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)705
County GDP$1,362M

Business (County)

Restaurants88
Healthcare60
Retail128
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,946
13% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.58%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Drive Alone88.4%
Public Transit3.4%
Work from Home2.6%

Walkability

The median home value in West City is $60,000, 79% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$60,000
79% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% below US avg
Rent Burden22.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.6%
Housing Units299
Median Year Built1961

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,946
13% above US avg
Effective Rate6.58%
In West City, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.7% are current smokers. 25.0% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.0%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.7%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress14.4%
Short Sleep39.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Uninsured9.1%
6% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,880
Dentists1:2,865
Mental Health1:136
Checkup Rate75.7%
Dental Visits56.8%
Premature Death12,271/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access70.8%
Healthcare Facilities60
West City has a violent crime rate of 1,534 per 100,000 residents, 304% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 14,724 per 100,000 (651% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,533.7/100K
304% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault1,533.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property14,723.9/100K
651% above US avg
Burglary1,687.1/100K
Theft13,036.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West City has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.6 inches. The area enjoys 305 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.3°F
6% above US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.6 inches
25% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation442 ft (135 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density380/sq mi
Coordinates37.9960°N, 88.9489°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 13.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.6-point margin. 78.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.6%
D 24.1%

Winner: Republican by 50.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.5%
60% below US avg
High School+91.9%
Graduate Degree+3.9%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density380/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.3%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants88
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Drive Alone88.4%
Public Transit3.4%
Work from Home2.6%

Nearby Cities

Benton, IL 7,076 pop · 2.1 mi Christopher, IL 2,413 pop · 5.9 mi West Frankfort, IL 7,156 pop · 6.7 mi Zeigler, IL 1,325 pop · 8.4 mi Sesser, IL 1,919 pop · 8.6 mi Ina, IL 1,600 pop · 10.9 mi Johnston City, IL 3,351 pop · 12.1 mi Royalton, IL 1,076 pop · 12.1 mi Herrin, IL 12,271 pop · 14.4 mi Du Quoin, IL 5,780 pop · 15.5 mi Energy, IL 1,171 pop · 16.1 mi Cambria, IL 1,271 pop · 17.6 mi Carterville, IL 5,822 pop · 17.7 mi Crainville, IL 1,614 pop · 17.8 mi
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