City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Harvard, IL

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

9,875
Residents
$71,418
Median income
$174,000
Median home
$1,781
Median rent (state)

Harvard - the verdict

Harvard ranks in the 51st percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

51st
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
72nd
percentile, median rent
74th
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: Harvard, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 9,875 residents in Harvard, a small town within Illinois. Median household income here is $71,418 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.0%. Typical homes in Harvard are valued around $174,000, and the median resident age is 30.5 years. Educational attainment runs 19.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 52 residential building permits were authorized in Harvard (Building Boom), up 1633% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Harvard reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 761.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,781 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $240 across Illinois, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

9,875 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$71,418 /yr

Poverty 10.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Harvard compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 51% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 72% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Illinois, Harvard ranks #184 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Harvard 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 Harvard toward the top of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Harvard ranks #17 - the 77th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Harvard only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#566 of 1,311
57th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#17 of 1,336
77th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#419 of 1,315
68th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#455 of 1,335
65th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#614 of 1,336
54th 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.

51stIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

51st percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Harvard's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Harvard'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 57 Avg. percentile National median
Harvard'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 Harvard's home value compares nationally

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

$174,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% 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. Harvard $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 - Harvard, IL Harvard, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Harvard, 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 Harvard, IL median $71,418/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%
Harvard, 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 Harvard, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.2%

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

Population
9,875
Median Income
$71,418
Median Home Value
$174,000
Median Age
30.5
Poverty Rate
10.0%
Labor force participation
68.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
761.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
139.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
622.1
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
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,350 residents9,400 residents9,450 residents9,500 residents9,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,458 residents 9,504 residents ▲ +0.5%
Harvard's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
52
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
38
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 2
2021 5
2022 3
2023 15
2024 52

Permit volume increased 1633% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
13.2%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
5.1%
Work from Home
5.1%

Based on 4,692 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 Harvard sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,781/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Peru
9,863 people
Frankfort Square
9,777 people
Winfield
9,982 people
Mahomet
9,755 people
Sauk Village
9,724 people
Flossmoor
9,666 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Harvard's 9,875 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bristol, PA
9,874 people
Avon Park, FL
9,879 people
East Liverpool, OH
9,869 people
Wapakoneta, OH
9,867 people
Succasunna, NJ
9,866 people
Rye Brook, NY
9,884 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Harvard's $71,418 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Middleville, MI
$71,417 median income
Parma, MI
$71,413 median income
Tomball, TX
$71,426 median income
Perdido Beach, AL
$71,429 median income
Hudson, CO
$71,429 median income
Russellville, IN
$71,429 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Harvard, 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 Harvard, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.7% 10.2% 23.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 53.9% White 64.7% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 10.2% Two or more races 23.8% 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 Harvard 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
Harvard (this city) 9,875 $71,418
Peru 9,863 $68,147
Frankfort Square 9,777 $126,953
Winfield 9,982 $143,102
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Harvard, IL?

What is the population of Harvard, IL? +

Harvard, IL has a population of 9,875 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Harvard, the typical household earns $71,418 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Harvard? +

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

Harvard has a total crime rate of 761.5 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 Harvard, IL? +

The median home value in Harvard is $174,000, 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.