Princeton, IL

Census place 1761899 · pop 7,975

D55/ 100
😐 Meh
C
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Crime0/100k · top 4%
🚽 Prop tax1.90% · bottom 12%
Taxes
1.90% 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 burden1.90%12

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

1.90% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.9%14

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

4.9% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Broadband access87.9%25

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

87.9% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Median household income$61,94631

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

$61,946 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Adult obesity37.4%35

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

37.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Property crime rate1684/100k38

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

1684 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Bachelor's degree or higher26.3%41

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

26.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Adult smoking14.2%41

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

14.2% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poverty rate12.7%44

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

12.7% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Physical inactivity25.2%49

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

25.2% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Poor mental health16.3%62

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

16.3% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Population growth (5yr)+4.9%63

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

+4.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Homeownership68.6%63

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

68.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Income inequality0.4264

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.42 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Uninsured adults7.7%69

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

7.7% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level63/10081

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

63/100 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.

Commute time18 min85

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

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

Housing cost$134,70090

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

$134,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Violent crime rate0/100k96

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

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

Not measured for Princeton: 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 Princeton, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Princeton scores 55/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 19 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is violent crime rate 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 Princeton, IL?
Princeton reports 0 violent crimes per 100k and 1684 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Princeton, IL expensive to live in?
Princeton has a median home value of $134,700 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Princeton, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (1.90%) — 12/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Princeton, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is violent crime rate (0/100k) — 96/100, 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.