City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Princeton, IL

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

7,829
Residents
$57,682
Median income
$131,300
Median home
$1,035
Median rent (state)

Princeton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Princeton lands in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
23rd
percentile, median rent
40th
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: Princeton, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 7,829 residents in Princeton, a small town within Illinois. Princeton households earn a median of $57,682 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.9%. Princeton's housing stock carries a median value of $131,300, and the median resident age is 45.4 years. Educational attainment runs 25.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 5 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 17% from five years earlier. Princeton reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1683.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Princeton's yearly average temperature at 49.7°F with 39.8 inches of precipitation per year and 28.5 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,035 per month statewide. 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 62.3 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

7,829 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$57,682 /yr

Poverty 9.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Princeton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 23% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Illinois, Princeton ranks #330 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison 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 Princeton'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.

32ndIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Princeton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Princeton'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Princeton'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 Princeton's home value compares nationally

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

$131,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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. Princeton $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 - Princeton, IL Princeton, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Princeton, 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 Princeton, IL median $57,682/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%
Princeton, 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 Princeton, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.8%

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

Population
7,829
Median Income
$57,682
Median Home Value
$131,300
Median Age
45.4
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Labor force participation
54.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1683.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1683.9
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.7°F
Annual Precipitation
39.8"
Annual Snowfall
28.5"

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 →
7,600 residents7,700 residents7,800 residents7,900 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,845 residents 7,674 residents ▼ -2.2%
Princeton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 7
2021 8
2022 6
2023 6
2024 5

Permit volume decreased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.7%
Carpool
14.3%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
4.3%
Work from Home
6.5%
Other
4.4%

Based on 3,450 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 Princeton sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,035/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
62.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Round Lake Park
7,833 people
West Dundee
7,867 people
Broadview
7,898 people
South Beloit
7,930 people
Lincolnshire
7,937 people
Silvis
7,939 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's 7,829 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Westlake, CA
7,829 people
Glen Ridge, NJ
7,827 people
Yreka, CA
7,832 people
Robinwood, MD
7,822 people
Ponchatoula, LA
7,839 people
Quincy, FL
7,818 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's $57,682 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Martin, LA
$57,684 median income
Shipshewana, IN
$57,679 median income
Boothbay Harbor, ME
$57,679 median income
Cumby, TX
$57,679 median income
Sister Bay, WI
$57,679 median income
Troy, NY
$57,688 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Princeton, 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 Princeton, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.2% White 90.5% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 6.3% 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 Princeton 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
Princeton (this city) 7,829 $57,682
Round Lake Park 7,833 $57,486
West Dundee 7,867 $104,750
Broadview 7,898 $60,139
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Princeton, IL?

What is the population of Princeton, IL? +

Princeton, IL counts 7,829 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Princeton is $57,682 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Princeton? +

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

Princeton has a total crime rate of 1683.9 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 Princeton, IL? +

Homes in Princeton carry a median value of $131,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Princeton? +

Climate normals put Princeton's yearly average temperature at 49.7°F, 39.8 inches of precipitation, and 28.5 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 Editorial

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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.