City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Bluffs, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bluffs - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

586
Residents
$72,917
Median income
$78,700
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Bluffs - the verdict

Bluffs ranks in the 54th percentile for household income and the 99th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

54th
percentile, household income
3rd
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
99th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bluffs, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 586 residents in Bluffs, a small town within Illinois. The typical household in Bluffs brings in $72,917 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.3%. Bluffs's housing stock carries a median value of $78,700, and the median resident age is 48.8 years. 18.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Bluffs reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 0.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $916 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 2.8 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

586 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$72,917 /yr

Poverty 6.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Bluffs compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bluffs stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 54% higher than other cities
Home value 3% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 99% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Bluffs ranks #4 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bluffs against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Bluffs near the bottom of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Bluffs ranks #935 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bluffs only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#533 of 1,311
59th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#935 of 1,336
0th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#1,081 of 1,315
18th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#738 of 1,335
44th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#656 of 1,336
51st percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

54thIncome percentile
99thSafety percentile

54th percentile nationally for median household income · 99th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bluffs's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bluffs's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 83 Avg. percentile National median
Bluffs's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bluffs's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$78,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 97% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bluffs $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bluffs, IL Bluffs, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bluffs, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bluffs, IL median $72,917/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bluffs, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bluffs, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
586
Median Income
$72,917
Median Home Value
$78,700
Median Age
48.8
Poverty Rate
6.3%
Labor force participation
54.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
580 residents590 residents600 residents610 residents620 residents630 residents 202020212022202320242025 619 residents 592 residents ▼ -4.4%
Bluffs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.2%
Carpool
9.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.4%
Other
1.7%

Based on 289 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bluffs sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$916/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
2.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Hopkins Park
587 people
Trout Valley
584 people
Ohio
582 people
Como
581 people
Brownstown
592 people
Woodson
592 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffs's 586 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Yarnell, AZ
586 people
Juliaetta, ID
586 people
Weston, ID
586 people
Everly, IA
586 people
Hopkinton, IA
586 people
Drakesboro, KY
586 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffs's $72,917 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Daisy, AR
$72,917 median income
South Windham, CT
$72,917 median income
New Market, IN
$72,917 median income
Algonquin, MD
$72,917 median income
Herman, MN
$72,917 median income
Lacona, NY
$72,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bluffs, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bluffs, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.7% 8.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.6% White 88.7% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.4% Two or more races 0.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bluffs compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bluffs (this city) 586 $72,917
Hopkins Park 587 $34,792
Trout Valley 584 $211,563
Ohio 582 $54,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bluffs, IL?

What is the population of Bluffs, IL? +

Bluffs, IL counts 586 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bluffs, IL? +

Bluffs households earn a median of $72,917 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bluffs? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bluffs; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Bluffs, IL safe? +

Bluffs has a total crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bluffs, IL? +

Bluffs's median home value sits at $78,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.