Living in Cairo, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cairo · Census data 2020–2024
Cairo has 1,682 residents with a median age of 43.8. The median household income is $41,912 (50% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $32,000, the median rent is $515/month.
Cairo at a glance
- Population
- 1,682
- Median age
- 43.8State: 39
- Median household income
- $41,912State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $32,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $515/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 65.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.2%
- Average commute
- 37 min
Is Cairo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 88% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 50% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 37 minutes; unemployment of 14.6%; a poverty rate of 19%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Cairo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cairo the median home value is $32,000, 90% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $515 per month, which is 18.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,222 a month in housing costs.
Cairo median household income
The median household income in Cairo is $41,912 and the income per person is $25,276. 19% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Cairo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,199
- Owner-occupied
- 65.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.9%
- Vacant
- 44.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.41
44.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Cairo has many vacation and second homes.
Cairo demographics
- Population
- 1,682
- Median age
- 43.8
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 22.6%
- Households
- 664
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cairo ›
Education in Cairo
13.2% of adults 25 and older in Cairo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 4.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cairo
- Unemployment rate
- 14.6%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 37 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 6.2%
- Drive alone
- 87.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 56.3%
Cairo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 1,682 | $41,912 | $32,000 | $515 |
| Wyatt | 243 | $24,773 | $47,100 | $598 |
| Mound City | 681 | $41,250 | $55,600 | $775 |
| Wickliffe | 797 | $34,509 | $68,400 | — |
| Mounds | 986 | $30,917 | — | $592 |
| Barlow | 564 | $27,054 | $68,100 | $538 |
| Charleston | 4,482 | $33,952 | $123,700 | $774 |
| La Center | 694 | $56,776 | $92,300 | $900 |
| Blandville | 107 | $47,500 | $67,500 | — |
More for people moving to Cairo
Cairo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cairo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cairo, IL?
The median household income in Cairo is $41,912, 50% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Cairo?
The median home value in Cairo is $32,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Cairo?
The median gross rent in Cairo is $515 per month, about 18.2% of household income.
Is Cairo, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 88% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 50% lower than the Illinois median; an average commute of 37 minutes; unemployment of 14.6%; a poverty rate of 19%.
What is the median age in Cairo?
The median age in Cairo is 43.8 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Cairo?
The average commute to work in Cairo is 37 minutes; 6.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cairo?
The unemployment rate in Cairo is 14.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cairo?
13.2% of adults in Cairo have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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