City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Vandalia, IL

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

6,041
Residents
$43,184
Median income
$88,800
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Vandalia - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Vandalia places in the 11th percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
55th
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: Vandalia, IL

6,041 people live in Vandalia, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Vandalia brings in $43,184 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.8%. Typical homes in Vandalia are valued around $88,800, and the median resident age is 42.9 years. About 10.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 39.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1 residential building permits were authorized in Vandalia (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Vandalia reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1228.3 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 54.2°F with 43.7 inches of precipitation per year.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $916 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 48.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

6,041 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$43,184 /yr

Poverty 17.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Vandalia compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% 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: Vandalia ranks #281 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 Vandalia 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 places Vandalia near the bottom of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Vandalia ranks #935 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Vandalia only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1,214 of 1,311
7th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#935 of 1,336
0th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#952 of 1,315
27th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#163 of 1,335
87th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#1,042 of 1,336
22nd 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.

11thIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Vandalia's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Vandalia'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 54 Avg. percentile National median
Vandalia'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 Vandalia's home value compares nationally

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

$88,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% 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. Vandalia $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 - Vandalia, IL Vandalia, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, IL median $43,184/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%
Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 39.9%

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

Population
6,041
Median Income
$43,184
Median Home Value
$88,800
Median Age
42.9
Poverty Rate
17.8%
Labor force participation
39.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1228.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
40.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1187.4
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
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
43.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
7,000 residents7,200 residents7,400 residents7,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,434 residents 7,108 residents ▼ -4.4%
Vandalia'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
0.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 2
2021 3
2022 5
2023 3
2024 1

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.6%
Carpool
5.7%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
3.5%
Work from Home
5.2%
Other
1.8%

Based on 2,068 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 Vandalia 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
48.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Beardstown
6,047 people
Elburn
6,054 people
Mount Zion
6,076 people
Pontoon Beach
6,131 people
Braidwood
6,175 people
Metropolis
5,898 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Vandalia's 6,041 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Moores Mill, AL
6,041 people
Kingston, TN
6,042 people
Swannanoa, NC
6,043 people
Cambria, CA
6,038 people
Three Oaks, FL
6,037 people
Pevely, MO
6,037 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Vandalia's $43,184 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bloomfield, MO
$43,182 median income
Huxley, TX
$43,188 median income
Brownfield, TX
$43,189 median income
Menard, TX
$43,179 median income
Bokchito, OK
$43,194 median income
Kiryas Joel, NY
$43,171 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.7% 11.4% 6.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.8% White 79.7% Black or African American 11.4% Asian 0.1% American Indian 1.5% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 0.8% Two or more races 6.4% 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 Vandalia 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
Vandalia (this city) 6,041 $43,184
Beardstown 6,047 $58,765
Elburn 6,054 $106,506
Mount Zion 6,076 $110,786
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Vandalia, IL?

What is the population of Vandalia, IL? +

The population of Vandalia, IL stands at 6,041 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Vandalia households earn a median of $43,184 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Vandalia? +

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

Vandalia has a total crime rate of 1228.3 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 Vandalia, IL? +

Vandalia's median home value sits at $88,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Vandalia? +

The average annual temperature in Vandalia runs 54.2°F, 43.7 inches of precipitation. 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.