West Frankfort, IL

Illinois

West Frankfort is a small city in Illinois with a population of 7,156. Residents earn $48,143 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,156 Population 1,437/sq mi density
$48,143 Median Income $25,743 per capita
$72,500 Home Value $99,655 Zillow
$673 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
74 Violent Crime/100K 1,915 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$48,143 median income, 7.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,500 home value, $673/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
74 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,143
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,500
74% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 74/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $673
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.9%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.6%
111% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.7%
75% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,156
Median Age39.9 yrs
Density1,437/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

C
Median Income$48,143
Per Capita$25,743
Unemployment7.6%
Poverty21.7%
County GDP$1,362M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,500
Rent$673
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$99,655

Crime

F
Violent74/100K
Property1,915/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary494/100K

Health

Obesity43.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.5%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.6 in/yr
Elevation397 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+84.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute23 min
Libraries6

Is West Frankfort a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Frankfort receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. West Frankfort has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Frankfort is $48,143, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 21.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Frankfort is $72,500, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $673 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

West Frankfort is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,915 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

West Frankfort 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. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

West Frankfort has a population of 7,156 with a density of 1,437 people per square mile. The median age is 39.9 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.2%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

7,156
Total Population
1,437
People / sq mi
39.9yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
5.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.6%
Female 47.4%

Race & Ethnicity

West Frankfort vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Frankfort vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Frankfort is $48,143, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 21.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: West Frankfort vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,143
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,743
Avg Weekly Wage$900
IRS Avg AGI$56,631

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.6%
111% above US avg
Poverty Rate21.7%
75% 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
Effective Tax Rate5.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

Walkability

The median home value in West Frankfort is $72,500, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $673 (42% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $99,655.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,500
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$99,655

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$673
42% below 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-Occupied63.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,946
13% above US avg
Effective Rate5.44%
In West Frankfort, 43.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.5% report depression. 30.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.9%
37% above US avg
Diabetes12.5%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure35.0%
Asthma11.7%
COPD10.5%
Stroke4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity30.0%
Depression26.5%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress16.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate75.3%
Premature Death12,271/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access70.8%
Healthcare Facilities60
West Frankfort has a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,915 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent74.2/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery74.2/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,915.5/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary494.3/100K
Theft1,235.8/100K
Vehicle Theft185.4/100K
Arson12.4/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
West Frankfort 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. 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)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.6 inches
25% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation397 ft (121 m)
Area5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²)
Population Density1,437/sq mi
Coordinates37.8995°N, 88.9308°W
County FIPS17055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.6%
D 24.1%

Winner: Republican by 50.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+84.6%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,437/sq mi
Total Area5.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants88
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Work from Home4.6%

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