City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Prairie City, IL

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

386
Residents
$36,250
Median income
$80,400
Median home
$951
Median rent (state)

Prairie City - the verdict

Prairie City ranks in the 5th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

5th
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Prairie City, IL

386 people live in Prairie City, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Prairie City brings in $36,250 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.5%. Home values in Prairie City run a median of $80,400, and the median resident age is 43.9 years. About 11.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 49.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA puts Prairie City's yearly average temperature at 51.5°F with 38.5 inches of precipitation per year and 21.3 inches of snowfall.

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 $951 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). The average commute for Prairie City workers runs 23.7 minutes, with 94.4% driving alone and 1.4% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 37.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

386 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$36,250 /yr

Poverty 8.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Prairie City compare to other US cities?

Where Prairie City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Prairie City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Prairie City toward the bottom of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,315 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Prairie City ranks #1,067 - the 19th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Prairie City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,282 of 1,311
2nd percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#870 of 1,336
34th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#1,067 of 1,315
19th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#559 of 1,335
58th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#995 of 1,336
25th 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.

5thIncome percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Prairie City's home value compares nationally

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

$80,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% 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. Prairie City $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 - Prairie City, IL Prairie City, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Prairie City, 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 Prairie City, IL median $36,250/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%
Prairie City, 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 Prairie City, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.8%

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

Population
386
Median Income
$36,250
Median Home Value
$80,400
Median Age
43.9
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Labor force participation
49.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.9%

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
38.5"
Annual Snowfall
21.3"

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
390 residents395 residents400 residents405 residents410 residents 202020212022202320242025 405 residents 392 residents ▼ -3.2%
Prairie City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.7 minutes
Drive Alone
94.4%
Carpool
4.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.4%

Based on 143 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 Prairie City sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$951/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
37.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Tower Hill
387 people
Cameron
383 people
Stonefort
389 people
Armington
382 people
Arrowsmith
381 people
Fayetteville
381 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Prairie City's 386 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Meridian, CA
386 people
Kelley, IA
386 people
Symsonia, KY
386 people
Cross Timbers, MO
386 people
Sunburst, MT
386 people
Unionville, MT
386 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Prairie City's $36,250 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bear Creek, AL
$36,250 median income
Flomaton, AL
$36,250 median income
Vandiver, AL
$36,250 median income
Lower Kalskag, AK
$36,250 median income
Bowie, AZ
$36,250 median income
Fulton, AR
$36,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Prairie City, 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 Prairie City, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.7% 14.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 77.7% Black or African American 2.1% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.2% Two or more races 14.5% 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 Prairie City 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
Prairie City (this city) 386 $36,250
Tower Hill 387 $52,917
Cameron 383 $57,614
Stonefort 389 $53,365
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL NOAA Normals OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Prairie City, IL?

What is the population of Prairie City, IL? +

386 people live in Prairie City, IL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Prairie City, IL? +

The median household income in Prairie City is $36,250 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Prairie City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Prairie City; 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.

What is the median home value in Prairie City, IL? +

Homes in Prairie City carry a median value of $80,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Prairie City? +

The average annual temperature in Prairie City runs 51.5°F, 38.5 inches of precipitation, and 21.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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