Granite City, IL
Census place 1730926 · pop 26,549
Named for the granite-ware enamel kitchenware once produced there, it grew as a steel and manufacturing town.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-7.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
15.6% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.98% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
622 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
41.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
85.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
2550 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
16.9% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
19.1% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$59,205 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities
49 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
6 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.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
14.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
92/100 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.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
26.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
9.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
22 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
3.3% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities
Gini 0.41 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 67.2% · better than most cities
72.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,014/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$104,300 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
Frequently asked
- Is Granite City, IL a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Granite City scores 42/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost and its weakest is population growth (5yr). 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 Granite City, IL?
- Granite City reports 622 violent crimes per 100k and 2550 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Granite City, IL expensive to live in?
- Granite City has a median home value of $104,300 and typical rent around $1,014/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Granite City, IL?
- Its weakest measured area is population growth (5yr) (-7.2%) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Granite City, IL best at?
- Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($104,300) — 96/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Named for the granite-ware enamel kitchenware once produced there, it grew as a steel and manufacturing town.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.