Washington, IL

Census place 1779033 · pop 15,919

C65/ 100
😐 Meh
A
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Uninsured5.5% · top 11%
🚽 Prop tax2.28% · bottom 6%
Taxes
2.28% 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 burden2.28%6

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

2.28% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Population growth (5yr)-3.9%11

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

-3.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.3%26

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

4.3% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Adult obesity34.6%52

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

34.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Property crime rate1129/100k56

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

1129 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level82/10060

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

82/100 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$221,90065

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

$221,900 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Adult smoking11.4%69

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

11.4% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Poor mental health15.6%71

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

15.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Median household income$95,17972

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

$95,179 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Violent crime rate95/100k72

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

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

Bachelor's degree or higher43.7%74

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

43.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Broadband access94.8%77

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

94.8% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Income inequality0.4077

U.S. median 0.43 · better than most cities

Gini 0.40 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Commute time20 min77

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

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

Rent$1,311/mo82

U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities

$1,311/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Physical inactivity19.2%82

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

19.2% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Poverty rate5.1%86

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

5.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Homeownership80.4%86

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

80.4% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Uninsured adults5.5%89

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

5.5% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Not measured for Washington: Air, Bad air. 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 Washington, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Washington scores 65/100 — a C (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is uninsured adults 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 Washington, IL?
Washington reports 95 violent crimes per 100k and 1129 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Washington, IL expensive to live in?
Washington has a median home value of $221,900 and typical rent around $1,311/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Washington, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.28%) — 6/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Washington, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is uninsured adults (5.5%) — 89/100, 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.