Willow Lake, IL

Illinois

Willow Lake is a small town in Illinois with a population of 838. Residents earn $93,750 per year, which is 25% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
838 Population 307/sq mi density
$93,750 Median Income $50,571 per capita
$154,100 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$93,750 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$154,100 home value
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $93,750
25% higher than US avg
Home Value $154,100
45% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.2%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population838
Median Age56.6 yrs
Density307/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$93,750
Per Capita$50,571
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$2,485M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$154,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.4 in/yr
Elevation809 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+91.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute20 min
Libraries3

Is Willow Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Willow Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Willow Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Willow Lake is $93,750, 25% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Willow Lake is $154,100, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% 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

Willow Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.4 inches, including 34.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Willow Lake has a population of 838 with a density of 307 people per square mile. The median age is 56.6 years, 46% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.2%), with 13% Black.

Population

838
Total Population
307
People / sq mi
56.6yrs
Median Age
46% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.3%
Female 58.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Willow Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Willow Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Willow Lake is $93,750, which is 25% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Willow Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$93,750
25% above US avg
Per Capita Income$50,571
Avg Weekly Wage$1,076
IRS Avg AGI$63,398

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,019
County GDP$2,485M

Business (County)

Restaurants91
Healthcare99
Retail137
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.8 min
Work from Home10.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Willow Lake is $154,100, 45% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$154,100
45% below US avg
Median List Price$239,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$239,900
$/Sq Ft$124
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio101.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,642
61% above US avg
Effective Rate3.66%
In Willow Lake, 38.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.0% report depression. 20.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Willow Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.2%
19% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma10.3%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity20.8%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.0%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death9,373/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access70.5%
Healthcare Facilities99

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Willow Lake has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.7°F
12% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.4 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall34.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation809 ft (247 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density307/sq mi
Coordinates42.3342°N, 89.6353°W
County FIPS17177
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.9%
D 39.5%

Winner: Republican by 19.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+91.9%
School Test Score5.34
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density307/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants91
Retail Stores137

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.8 min
Work from Home10.5%

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