City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Pontoon Beach, IL

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

6,131
Residents
$59,375
Median income
$137,900
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

Pontoon Beach - the verdict

Pontoon Beach ranks in the 34th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

34th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
33rd
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: Pontoon Beach, IL

Pontoon Beach is a small town in Illinois, home to 6,131 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Pontoon Beach brings in $59,375 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.8%. Home values in Pontoon Beach run a median of $137,900, and the median resident age is 33.9 years. Educational attainment runs 16.2% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 16 residential building permits were authorized in Pontoon Beach (Building Boom), up 300% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1952.9 in FBI UCR data, near 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: 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 $1,218 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 93.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

6,131 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$59,375 /yr

Poverty 12.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Pontoon Beach compare to other US cities?

Pontoon Beach 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 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% 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: Pontoon Beach ranks #358 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 Pontoon Beach against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Pontoon Beach toward the top of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,335 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Pontoon Beach ranks #331 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Pontoon Beach 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
#378 of 1,336
65th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#553 of 1,315
58th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#331 of 1,335
75th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#767 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.

34thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

34th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pontoon Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pontoon Beach'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 46 Avg. percentile National median
Pontoon Beach'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 Pontoon Beach's home value compares nationally

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

$137,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Pontoon Beach $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 - Pontoon Beach, IL Pontoon Beach, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, 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%
Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.9%

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

Population
6,131
Median Income
$59,375
Median Home Value
$137,900
Median Age
33.9
Poverty Rate
12.8%
Labor force participation
59.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1952.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
259.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1693.7
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,800 residents5,820 residents5,840 residents5,860 residents5,880 residents5,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,864 residents 5,887 residents ▲ +0.4%
Pontoon Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
16
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 4
2021 6
2022 7
2023 23
2024 16

Permit volume increased 300% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.2%
Carpool
13.1%
Public Transit
2.5%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
5.8%

Based on 2,614 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 Pontoon Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Braidwood
6,175 people
Chillicothe
6,185 people
Mount Zion
6,076 people
Elburn
6,054 people
Beardstown
6,047 people
Vandalia
6,041 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontoon Beach's 6,131 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

South Lakes, AK
6,132 people
Branford Center, CT
6,130 people
Laurence Harbor, NJ
6,130 people
Oceanport, NJ
6,130 people
Zuni Pueblo, NM
6,132 people
Darlington, SC
6,128 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pontoon Beach'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 - Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.6% 8.7% 8.4% 9.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.6% White 69.6% Black or African American 8.7% Asian 3.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.4% Two or more races 9.4% 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 Pontoon Beach 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
Pontoon Beach (this city) 6,131 $59,375
Braidwood 6,175 $83,365
Chillicothe 6,185 $62,108
Mount Zion 6,076 $110,786
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pontoon Beach, IL?

What is the population of Pontoon Beach, IL? +

Pontoon Beach, IL has a population of 6,131 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Pontoon Beach, IL? +

In Pontoon Beach, the typical household earns $59,375 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pontoon Beach? +

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

Pontoon Beach has a total crime rate of 1952.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Pontoon Beach, IL? +

A typical home in Pontoon Beach is worth $137,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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