City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Paxton, IL

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

4,201
Residents
$60,470
Median income
$116,700
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Paxton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Paxton lands in the 36th percentile for household income and the 72nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

36th
percentile, household income
16th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
72nd
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: Paxton, IL

4,201 people live in Paxton, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Paxton households earn a median of $60,470 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Paxton's housing stock carries a median value of $116,700, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. 21.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Paxton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 787.9 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 50.5°F with 37.9 inches of precipitation per year and 18.3 inches of snowfall.

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 $916 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Workers in Paxton report an average commute of 20.3 minutes, with 81.2% driving alone and 8.8% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 26.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

4,201 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$60,470 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Paxton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 16% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 72% 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: Paxton ranks #194 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 Paxton'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.

36thIncome percentile
72ndSafety percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income · 72nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Paxton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Paxton'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 66 Avg. percentile National median
Paxton'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 Paxton's home value compares nationally

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

$116,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 84% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Paxton $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 - Paxton, IL Paxton, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Paxton, 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 Paxton, IL median $60,470/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%
Paxton, 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 Paxton, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.8%

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

Population
4,201
Median Income
$60,470
Median Home Value
$116,700
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
57.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
787.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
231.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
556.2
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
37.9"
Annual Snowfall
18.3"

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 →
4,300 residents4,350 residents4,400 residents4,450 residents4,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,442 residents 4,323 residents ▼ -2.7%
Paxton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 1
2021 0
2022 1
2023 0
2024 2

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.3 minutes
Drive Alone
81.2%
Carpool
7.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
8.8%

Based on 1,889 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 Paxton 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
26.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Poplar Grove
4,202 people
Scott AFB
4,195 people
Sherman
4,211 people
Kildeer
4,189 people
Anna
4,222 people
Caseyville
4,170 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Paxton's 4,201 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cold Spring, MN
4,201 people
Jacksonwald, PA
4,201 people
Galeville, NY
4,200 people
Clarion, PA
4,202 people
West Bay Shore, NY
4,199 people
Charleroi, PA
4,203 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Paxton's $60,470 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Edmund, WI
$60,469 median income
Camanche North Shore, CA
$60,467 median income
Flatwoods, KY
$60,467 median income
Joshua, TX
$60,466 median income
Largo, FL
$60,465 median income
Fredonia, AZ
$60,476 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Paxton, 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 Paxton, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 95.2% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 3.9% 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 Paxton 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
Paxton (this city) 4,201 $60,470
Poplar Grove 4,202 $93,409
Scott AFB 4,195 $91,115
Sherman 4,211 $147,025
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Paxton, IL?

What is the population of Paxton, IL? +

Paxton, IL has a population of 4,201 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Paxton is $60,470 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Paxton? +

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

Paxton has a total crime rate of 787.9 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 Paxton, IL? +

A typical home in Paxton is worth $116,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Paxton? +

Paxton has an average annual temperature of 50.5°F, 37.9 inches of precipitation, and 18.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.