City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Grand Tower, IL

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

551
Residents
$59,375
Median income
$24,500
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Grand Tower - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Grand Tower lands in the 34th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

34th
percentile, household income
0th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Grand Tower, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 551 residents in Grand Tower, a small town within Illinois. Grand Tower households earn a median of $59,375 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 23.3%. Home values in Grand Tower run a median of $24,500, and the median resident age is 24.1 years. About 2.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $916 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 87.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

551 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$59,375 /yr

Poverty 23.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Grand Tower compare to other US cities?

Grand Tower measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 34% higher than other cities
Home value 0% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Grand Tower 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 Grand Tower near the bottom of Illinois's cities

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

Median Household Income
#850 of 1,311
35th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#935 of 1,336
0th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#1,312 of 1,315
0th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#74 of 1,335
94th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,300 of 1,336
2nd 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.

34thIncome percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Grand Tower's home value compares nationally

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

$24,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 100% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Grand Tower $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 - Grand Tower, IL Grand Tower, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Grand Tower, 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 Grand Tower, IL median $59,375/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%
Grand Tower, 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 Grand Tower, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 2.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 23.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.3%

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

Population
551
Median Income
$59,375
Median Home Value
$24,500
Median Age
24.1
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Labor force participation
60.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
2.6%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
472 residents474 residents476 residents478 residents480 residents 202020212022202320242025 479 residents 474 residents ▼ -1.0%
Grand Tower's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.2%
Carpool
13.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.6%

Based on 228 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 Grand Tower 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
87.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Chandlerville
552 people
Makanda
550 people
Franklin
554 people
Golf
548 people
St. David
548 people
Cowden
547 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Tower's 551 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kingsland, AR
551 people
Russell, IA
551 people
Newport, NJ
551 people
Billings, OK
551 people
Plantersville, TX
551 people
Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA
551 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Grand Tower's $59,375 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pitts, GA
$59,375 median income
Richfield, ID
$59,375 median income
Dunreith, IN
$59,375 median income
Harcourt, IA
$59,375 median income
Galesburg, KS
$59,375 median income
Hartford, KS
$59,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Grand Tower, 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 Grand Tower, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.2% 12.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 12.5% White 86.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 12.3% 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 Grand Tower 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
Grand Tower (this city) 551 $59,375
Chandlerville 552 $43,333
Makanda 550 $72,083
Franklin 554 $66,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Grand Tower, IL?

What is the population of Grand Tower, IL? +

Grand Tower, IL has a population of 551 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Grand Tower, IL? +

The median household income in Grand Tower is $59,375 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Grand Tower? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Grand Tower; 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.

What is the median home value in Grand Tower, IL? +

A typical home in Grand Tower is worth $24,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.