Carol Stream, IL

Census place 1711332 · pop 39,460

D59/ 100
😐 Meh
B
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Mental14.1% · top 14%
🚽 Prop tax2.38% · bottom 5%
Taxes
2.38% 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 burden2.38%5

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

2.38% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Commute time28 min25

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

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

Population growth (5yr)-0.7%25

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

-0.7% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Natural disaster riskCounty-level95/10031

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

95/100 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.

Air quality (AQI)County-level45 AQI39

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

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

Housing cost$335,00040

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

$335,000 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Rent$1,813/mo45

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

$1,813/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.6%51

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

3.6% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Broadband access92.3%56

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

92.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Homeownership67.3%60

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

67.3% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Uninsured adults8.1%65

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

8.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Bachelor's degree or higher42.8%73

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

42.8% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Property crime rate721/100k74

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

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

Physical inactivity20.4%76

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

20.4% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Median household income$102,30977

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

$102,309 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult smoking10.3%78

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

10.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Income inequality0.4078

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.40 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Poverty rate6.4%78

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

6.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Adult obesity29.2%79

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

29.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Violent crime rate70/100k80

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

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

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level0 days85

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

0 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.

Poor mental health14.1%86

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

14.1% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Frequently asked

Is Carol Stream, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Carol Stream scores 59/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is poor mental health 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 Carol Stream, IL?
Carol Stream reports 70 violent crimes per 100k and 721 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Carol Stream, IL expensive to live in?
Carol Stream has a median home value of $335,000 and typical rent around $1,813/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Carol Stream, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.38%) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Carol Stream, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is poor mental health (14.1%) — 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.