City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Metropolis, IL

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

5,898
Residents
$51,548
Median income
$93,700
Median home
$969
Median rent (state)

Metropolis - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Metropolis places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
12th
percentile, median rent
44th
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: Metropolis, IL

Illinois's Metropolis is a small town, with 5,898 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $51,548 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.5%. Typical homes in Metropolis are valued around $93,700, and the median resident age is 46.3 years. About 14.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 47.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 7 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Metropolis reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1554.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $969 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 61.6 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

5,898 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$51,548 /yr

Poverty 8.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Metropolis compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% 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: Metropolis ranks #316 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Metropolis's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Metropolis's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Metropolis'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 52 Avg. percentile National median
Metropolis'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 Metropolis's home value compares nationally

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

$93,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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. Metropolis $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 - Metropolis, IL Metropolis, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL median $51,548/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%
Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.4%

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

Population
5,898
Median Income
$51,548
Median Home Value
$93,700
Median Age
46.3
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Labor force participation
47.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1554.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
279.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1274.9
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,700 residents5,800 residents5,900 residents6,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,943 residents 5,727 residents ▼ -3.6%
Metropolis's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 25
2021 15
2022 3
2023 9
2024 7

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.8%
Carpool
16.1%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
5.2%

Based on 2,288 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 Metropolis sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$969/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Lakemoor
5,878 people
Willow Springs
5,871 people
Spring Grove
5,866 people
Bartonville
5,854 people
Lake Bluff
5,834 people
Peoria Heights
5,834 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Metropolis's 5,898 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Stroudsburg, PA
5,898 people
Hempstead, TX
5,899 people
Hidden Valley Lake, CA
5,896 people
Old Tappan, NJ
5,896 people
Hudson, NY
5,900 people
Krum, TX
5,896 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Metropolis's $51,548 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Holland, OH
$51,544 median income
Jackson, TN
$51,552 median income
Carrollton, GA
$51,553 median income
Woolrich, PA
$51,556 median income
Huron, SD
$51,556 median income
Luverne, AL
$51,537 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.0% 8.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.8% White 84.0% Black or African American 8.9% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.9% 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 Metropolis 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
Metropolis (this city) 5,898 $51,548
Lakemoor 5,878 $96,929
Willow Springs 5,871 $103,429
Spring Grove 5,866 $133,224
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Metropolis, IL?

What is the population of Metropolis, IL? +

5,898 people live in Metropolis, IL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Metropolis is $51,548 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Metropolis? +

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

Metropolis has a total crime rate of 1554.3 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 Metropolis, IL? +

Homes in Metropolis carry a median value of $93,700, 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.