Harvard, IL

Census place 1733331 · pop 9,598

D−48/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Inequality0.38 · top 13%
🚽 Prop tax2.53% · bottom 3%
Taxes
2.53% 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 burden2.53%3

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

2.53% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Uninsured adults18.1%10

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

18.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Bachelor's degree or higher18.7%19

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

18.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Broadband access89.0%31

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

89.0% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Physical inactivity28.5%32

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

28.5% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Commute time26 min35

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

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

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.0%36

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

4.0% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Homeownership59.7%37

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

59.7% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Median household income$67,61740

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

$67,617 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult obesity36.2%42

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

36.2% 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 health17.4%46

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

17.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Poverty rate11.8%49

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

11.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Air quality (AQI)County-level43 AQI51

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

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

Population growth (5yr)+3.4%53

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

+3.4% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Natural disaster riskCounty-level86/10055

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

86/100 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.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level1 days62

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

1 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.

Violent crime rate139/100k63

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

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

Housing cost$175,40078

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

$175,400 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Property crime rate622/100k78

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

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

Income inequality0.3887

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.38 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Not measured for Harvard: Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Harvard, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Harvard scores 48/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is income inequality 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 Harvard, IL?
Harvard reports 139 violent crimes per 100k and 622 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Harvard, IL expensive to live in?
Harvard has a median home value of $175,400 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Harvard, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.53%) — 3/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Harvard, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is income inequality (0.38) — 87/100, 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.