City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Pontiac, IL

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

11,483
Residents
$59,579
Median income
$110,200
Median home
$1,018
Median rent (state)

Pontiac - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Pontiac places in the 35th percentile for household income and the 42nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
21st
percentile, median rent
42nd
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: Pontiac, IL

Illinois's Pontiac is a small town, with 11,483 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $59,579 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.1%. Typical homes in Pontiac are valued around $110,200, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. 16.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 1 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier. Pontiac reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1597.0 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 51.8°F with 37.0 inches of precipitation per year and 25.1 inches of snowfall.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Illinois scores 100.0 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,018 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $240 across Illinois, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Pontiac workers runs 15.6 minutes, with 77.9% driving alone and 6.1% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 71.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

11,483 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$59,579 /yr

Poverty 7.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Pontiac compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 21% pricier than other cities
Safety 42% 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: Pontiac ranks #322 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 Pontiac 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, Pontiac ranks #778 - the 41st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Pontiac only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#846 of 1,311
35th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#778 of 1,336
41st percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#723 of 1,315
45th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#672 of 1,335
49th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#771 of 1,336
42nd 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.

35thIncome percentile
42ndSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 42nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pontiac's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pontiac'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Pontiac'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 Pontiac's home value compares nationally

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

$110,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% 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. Pontiac $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 - Pontiac, IL Pontiac, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, IL median $59,579/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%
Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.1%

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

Population
11,483
Median Income
$59,579
Median Home Value
$110,200
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Labor force participation
50.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1597.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
237.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1359.7
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
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
37.0"
Annual Snowfall
25.1"

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 →
10,600 residents10,800 residents11,000 residents11,200 residents11,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,199 residents 10,806 residents ▼ -3.5%
Pontiac's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 4
2021 6
2022 3
2023 4
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.6 minutes
Drive Alone
77.9%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
6.1%
Other
3.1%

Based on 4,853 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 Pontiac sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,018/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
71.8 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

River Forest
11,489 people
Schiller Park
11,454 people
Markham
11,434 people
Plano
11,626 people
Palos Heights
11,817 people
Taylorville
11,149 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontiac's 11,483 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Campbell North, KY
11,483 people
New Port Richey East, FL
11,485 people
Town of Pecos, TX
11,485 people
Mexico, MO
11,487 people
Leon Valley, TX
11,479 people
Four Corners, TX
11,490 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontiac's $59,579 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bonanza, AR
$59,583 median income
Spring Lake, IN
$59,583 median income
Haverhill, IA
$59,583 median income
Salem, IA
$59,583 median income
Lockport, LA
$59,583 median income
Walnut Grove, MN
$59,583 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.1% 8.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 84.1% Black or African American 8.8% Asian 1.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 4.7% 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 Pontiac 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
Pontiac (this city) 11,483 $59,579
River Forest 11,489 $148,711
Schiller Park 11,454 $67,473
Markham 11,434 $52,364
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pontiac, IL?

What is the population of Pontiac, IL? +

Pontiac, IL has a population of 11,483 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Pontiac runs $59,579, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pontiac? +

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

Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1597.0 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 Pontiac, IL? +

The median home value in Pontiac is $110,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Pontiac? +

Pontiac has an average annual temperature of 51.8°F, 37.0 inches of precipitation, and 25.1 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.