City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Wood River, IL

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

10,315
Residents
$65,960
Median income
$103,200
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

Wood River - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Wood River places in the 44th percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Wood River, IL

Illinois's Wood River is a small town, with 10,315 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $65,960 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.2%. Typical homes in Wood River are valued around $103,200, and the median resident age is 37.9 years. About 15.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 2 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 33% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1987.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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

10,315 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$65,960 /yr

Poverty 11.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Wood River compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Illinois alone, Wood River ranks #362 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Wood River 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 sits close to the middle of Illinois's city distribution

Among the 1,335 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Wood River ranks #397 - the 70th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wood River only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#685 of 1,311
48th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#378 of 1,336
65th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#798 of 1,315
39th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#397 of 1,335
70th percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#795 of 1,336
40th 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.

44thIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wood River's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wood River'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
Wood River'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 Wood River's home value compares nationally

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

$103,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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. Wood River $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 - Wood River, IL Wood River, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wood River, 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 Wood River, IL median $65,960/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%
Wood River, 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 Wood River, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.4%

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

Population
10,315
Median Income
$65,960
Median Home Value
$103,200
Median Age
37.9
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Labor force participation
64.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1987.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
274.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1713.0
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.

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 →
10,200 residents10,300 residents10,400 residents10,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,430 residents 10,224 residents ▼ -2.0%
Wood River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
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 24
2021 11
2022 3
2023 5
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 33% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.6%
Carpool
7.6%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.5%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
2.0%

Based on 5,233 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 Wood River 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

Manhattan
10,315 people
Highland
10,268 people
Lyons
10,391 people
River Grove
10,482 people
Riverdale
10,515 people
Pingree Grove
10,576 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wood River's 10,315 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Arkadelphia, AR
10,316 people
Francisville, KY
10,313 people
Paris, TN
10,313 people
Rotonda, FL
10,312 people
Loudoun Valley Estates, VA
10,323 people
Comstock Park, MI
10,306 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wood River's $65,960 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

San Rafael, NM
$65,966 median income
Centreville, MI
$65,952 median income
Keasbey, NJ
$65,948 median income
Caledonia, OH
$65,972 median income
Lone Oak, TX
$65,972 median income
Logan, KS
$65,947 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wood River, 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 Wood River, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.0% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.3% White 87.0% Black or African American 6.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Wood River 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
Wood River (this city) 10,315 $65,960
Manhattan 10,315 $128,375
Highland 10,268 $77,886
Lyons 10,391 $64,209
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wood River, IL?

What is the population of Wood River, IL? +

10,315 people live in Wood River, IL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wood River, IL? +

The median household income in Wood River is $65,960 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wood River? +

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

Wood River has a total crime rate of 1987.1 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 Wood River, IL? +

The median home value in Wood River is $103,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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