Jacksonville, IL

Census place 1738115 · pop 18,014

D−44/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Commute16 min · top 7%
🚽 Growth-4.5% · bottom 9%
Taxes
1.94% 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

Population growth (5yr)-4.5%9

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

-4.5% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Property-tax burden1.94%12

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

1.94% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Adult obesity40.4%17

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

40.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Broadband access86.7%19

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

86.7% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Poverty rate18.5%22

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

18.5% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Adult smoking16.4%23

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

16.4% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Property crime rate2138/100k26

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

2138 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Bachelor's degree or higher22.6%30

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

22.6% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Poor mental health18.3%32

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

18.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Violent crime rate304/100k35

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

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

Income inequality0.4535

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.45 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Median household income$65,43237

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

$65,432 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Unemployment rateCounty-level3.8%43

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

3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Physical inactivity25.8%46

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

25.8% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Uninsured adults9.8%47

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

9.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Homeownership64.1%51

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

64.1% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level62/10082

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

62/100 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.

Housing cost$128,20091

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

$128,200 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Commute time16 min93

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

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

Not measured for Jacksonville: Air, Bad air, 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 Jacksonville, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Jacksonville scores 44/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time 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 Jacksonville, IL?
Jacksonville reports 304 violent crimes per 100k and 2138 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Jacksonville, IL expensive to live in?
Jacksonville has a median home value of $128,200 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Jacksonville, IL?
Its weakest measured area is population growth (5yr) (-4.5%) — 9/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Jacksonville, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is commute time (16 min) — 93/100, 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.