Living in Chester, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 6,797 residents with a median age of 43.5. The median household income is $80,625 (3% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $111,700, the median rent is $760/month.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 6,797
- Median age
- 43.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $80,625State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $111,700State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $760/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 74%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.2%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%.
Cons: Median household income 3% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $111,700, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $760 per month, which is 24.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,096 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $80,625 and the income per person is $24,444. 21.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,122
- Owner-occupied
- 74%
- Renter-occupied
- 26%
- Vacant
- 13.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.16
Chester demographics
- Population
- 6,797
- Median age
- 43.5
- Under 18
- 12.3%
- 65 and older
- 15%
- Households
- 1,827
- Foreign-born
- 1%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
10.2% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 3.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 2%
- Drive alone
- 85.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.6%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 6,797 | $80,625 | $111,700 | $760 |
| Ellis Grove | 359 | $82,813 | $78,300 | $850 |
| St. Mary | 285 | $49,643 | $120,000 | $775 |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | $158,500 | $769 |
| Brewer | 413 | $28,692 | — | — |
| Evansville | 781 | $65,750 | $88,200 | $791 |
| Ste. Genevieve | 5,010 | $48,097 | $172,400 | $771 |
| Percy | 921 | $44,015 | $77,200 | $600 |
| Willisville | 467 | $55,417 | $57,300 | $844 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, IL?
The median household income in Chester is $80,625, 3% 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 Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $111,700, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $760 per month, about 24.7% of household income.
Is Chester, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 58% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%. Minuses: median household income 3% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21.7%.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 43.5 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 20 minutes; 2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 4.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
10.2% of adults in Chester 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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