Blue Island, IL

Census place 1706704 · pop 21,741

F32/ 100
💀 Bad
F
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Rent$1,232/mo · top 14%
🚽 Prop tax2.55% · bottom 3%
Taxes
2.55% property · US 0.99%8.96% sales · US 7.00%4.95% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden2.55%3

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.55% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level100/1008

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

100/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults19.4%8

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

19.4% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Population growth (5yr)-3.8%11

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-3.8% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Air quality (AQI)County-level54 AQI14

U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities

54 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Property crime rate2691/100k15

U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities

2691 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Homeownership51.8%18

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

51.8% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level11 days19

U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities

11 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time29 min21

U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities

29 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.5%21

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Violent crime rate434/100k21

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

434 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Bachelor's degree or higher20.7%24

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

20.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Physical inactivity30.0%25

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

30.0% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Poverty rate17.1%26

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

17.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Median household income$59,48927

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$59,489 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Income inequality0.4633

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.46 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Broadband access89.6%35

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

89.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Adult obesity36.7%39

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

36.7% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Adult smoking13.9%44

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

13.9% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poor mental health17.1%51

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

17.1% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Housing cost$178,70077

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$178,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Rent$1,232/mo86

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,232/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Frequently asked

Is Blue Island, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Blue Island scores 32/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is rent and its weakest is property-tax burden. Illinois overall ranks #39 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Blue Island, IL?
Blue Island reports 434 violent crimes per 100k and 2691 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Blue Island, IL expensive to live in?
Blue Island has a median home value of $178,700 and typical rent around $1,232/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Blue Island, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.55%) — 3/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Blue Island, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is rent ($1,232/mo) — 86/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.