City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Bradley, IL

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

15,331
Residents
$62,940
Median income
$164,400
Median home
$1,326
Median rent (state)

Bradley - the verdict

Bradley ranks in the 40th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
48th
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Bradley, IL

Bradley is a small town in Illinois, home to 15,331 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $62,940 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.8%. Home values in Bradley run a median of $164,400, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. 17.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 17 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 42% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2607.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,326 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 88.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

15,331 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$62,940 /yr

Poverty 5.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Bradley compare to other US cities?

Where Bradley sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 48% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Illinois and the picture shifts: Bradley ranks #400 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bradley 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 sits close to the middle of Illinois's city distribution

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Bradley ranks #343 - the 73rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bradley only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#760 of 1,311
42nd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#343 of 1,336
73rd percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#440 of 1,315
67th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#778 of 1,335
41st percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#684 of 1,336
48th 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.

40thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bradley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bradley'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Bradley'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 Bradley's home value compares nationally

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

$164,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bradley $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 - Bradley, IL Bradley, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bradley, 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 Bradley, IL median $62,940/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%
Bradley, 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 Bradley, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.0%

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

Population
15,331
Median Income
$62,940
Median Home Value
$164,400
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor force participation
67.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2607.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
269.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2338.4
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,100 residents15,200 residents15,300 residents15,400 residents15,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,386 residents 15,214 residents ▼ -1.1%
Bradley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
17
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 18
2021 34
2022 42
2023 8
2024 17

Permit volume increased 42% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.0%
Carpool
8.3%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
4.9%
Work from Home
5.6%
Other
1.8%

Based on 8,407 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 Bradley sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,326/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Norridge
15,177 people
Dixon
15,166 people
Macomb
15,006 people
Prospect Heights
15,681 people
Morris
14,775 people
Antioch
14,751 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bradley's 15,331 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monroe, GA
15,336 people
New Haven, IN
15,339 people
Uvalde, TX
15,344 people
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
15,317 people
Eden, NC
15,353 people
Coolidge, AZ
15,300 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bradley's $62,940 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Stonecrest, GA
$62,939 median income
Seabrook, SC
$62,941 median income
Greybull, WY
$62,941 median income
West Wilmerding, PA
$62,935 median income
Athol, ID
$62,946 median income
Gardner, MA
$62,948 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bradley, 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 Bradley, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.6% 7.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.1% White 82.6% Black or African American 5.9% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.2% Two or more races 7.7% 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 Bradley 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
Bradley (this city) 15,331 $62,940
Norridge 15,177 $87,579
Dixon 15,166 $58,371
Macomb 15,006 $39,753
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bradley, IL?

What is the population of Bradley, IL? +

Bradley, IL counts 15,331 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Bradley, the typical household earns $62,940 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bradley? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bradley; 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 Bradley, IL safe? +

Bradley has a total crime rate of 2607.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Bradley, IL? +

Bradley's median home value sits at $164,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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

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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.