University Park, IL

Census place 1776935 · pop 7,306

F34/ 100
💀 Bad
F
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Cost$153,200 · top 15%
🚽 Prop tax3.20% · bottom 1%
Taxes
3.20% 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 burden3.20%0

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

3.20% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Adult obesity48.0%1

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

48.0% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Commute time39 min1

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

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

Natural disaster riskCounty-level100/1008

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

100/100 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-level54 AQI14

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

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

Poor mental health19.4%17

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

19.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level11 days19

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

11 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.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.5%21

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

4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Physical inactivity29.9%26

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

29.9% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Violent crime rate302/100k35

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

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

Property crime rate1739/100k36

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

1739 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Poverty rate14.4%36

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

14.4% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Broadband access90.1%38

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

90.1% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Bachelor's degree or higher26.5%41

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

26.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Adult smoking14.1%42

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

14.1% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Income inequality0.4444

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.44 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Median household income$73,84449

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

$73,844 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Homeownership63.7%50

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

63.7% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Uninsured adults9.1%54

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

9.1% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Population growth (5yr)+5.2%64

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

+5.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Housing cost$153,20085

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

$153,200 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Not measured for University Park: 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 University Park, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, University Park scores 34/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is housing cost 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 University Park, IL?
University Park reports 302 violent crimes per 100k and 1739 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is University Park, IL expensive to live in?
University Park has a median home value of $153,200 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in University Park, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (3.20%) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is University Park, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is housing cost ($153,200) — 85/100, 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.