Willow Springs, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Willow Springs is a small city in Illinois with a population of 5,871. Residents earn $103,429 per year, which is 38% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
5,871 Population 1,415/sq mi density
$103,429 Median Income $57,082 per capita
$370,900 Home Value $378,484 Zillow
$1,328 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
105 Violent Crime/100K 489 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$103,429 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$370,900 home value, $1,328/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
105 violent crimes/100K (72% below avg)
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
39.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $103,429
38% higher than US avg
Home Value $370,900
32% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 105/100K
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.1%
16% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,328
14% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.6%
14% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,871
Median Age45.4 yrs
Density1,415/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A+
Median Income$103,429
Per Capita$57,082
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$546,441M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$370,900
Rent$1,328
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$378,484

Crime

F
Violent105/100K
Property489/100K
Murder17.5/100K
Assault52/100K
Burglary87/100K

Health

Obesity27.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain41.4 in/yr
Elevation590 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.1%
High School+94.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 70%
Commute26 min
Libraries188

Is Willow Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Willow Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Willow Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Willow Springs is $103,429, which is significantly higher than the national average — 38% above $75,149. This places Willow Springs among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Willow Springs is $370,900, 32% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,328 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Willow Springs is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 105 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 489 per 100,000, 75% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Willow Springs experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Willow Springs has a population of 5,871 with a density of 1,415 people per square mile. The median age is 45.4 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%).

Population

5,871
Total Population
1,415
People / sq mi
45.4yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Willow Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only71.4%
9% below US avg
Spanish28.6%
113% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Willow Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Willow Springs is $103,429, which is 38% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Willow Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$103,429
38% above US avg
Per Capita Income$57,082
Avg Weekly Wage$1,672
IRS Avg AGI$100,597

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)137,804
County GDP$546,441M

Business (County)

Restaurants12,631
Healthcare16,051
Retail13,648
Manufacturing4,404

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Work from Home12.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Willow Springs is $370,900, 32% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,328 (14% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $378,484.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$370,900
32% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$378,484
Median List Price$470,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$470,500
$/Sq Ft$181
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio101.3%
Price Drops13.3%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,328
14% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,493

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,421
198% above US avg
Effective Rate2.81%
In Willow Springs, 27.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 17.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.6%
14% below US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure25.1%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.9%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.6%
Physical Inactivity17.7%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress10.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.5%
Checkup Rate75.0%
Premature Death8,536/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Willow Springs has a violent crime rate of 105 per 100,000 residents, 72% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 489 per 100,000 (75% below US avg). The murder rate is 17.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent104.9/100K
72% below US avg
Murder17.5/100K
177% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery35.0/100K
Assault52.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property489.3/100K
75% below US avg
Burglary87.4/100K
Theft384.5/100K
Vehicle Theft17.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Willow Springs has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.4 inches
9% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation590 ft (180 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density1,415/sq mi
Coordinates41.7341°N, 87.8840°W
County FIPS17031
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 39.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 42-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 28.4%
D 70.4%

Winner: Democrat by 42 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+39.1%
16% above US avg
High School+94.9%
School Test Score5.34
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,415/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries188
Healthcare Facilities16,051
Restaurants12,631
Retail Stores13,648

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)365
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Work from Home12.3%

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