Living in Gardner, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gardner · Census data 2020–2024
Gardner has 1,410 residents with a median age of 38.5. The median household income is $88,092 (6% higher than the Illinois median), the median home value is $199,600, the median rent is $979/month.
Gardner is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Gardner at a glance
- Population
- 1,410
- Median age
- 38.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $88,092State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $199,600State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $979/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 75%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Gardner a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 6% higher than the Illinois median; home values 24% lower than the state median.
Cons: An average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 13.5%; a poverty rate of 16.1%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Gardner
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gardner the median home value is $199,600, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $979 per month, which is 24.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,602 a month in housing costs.
Gardner median household income
The median household income in Gardner is $88,092 and the income per person is $39,173. 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Gardner: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 555
- Owner-occupied
- 75%
- Renter-occupied
- 25%
- Vacant
- 7.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 2.75
Gardner demographics
- Population
- 1,410
- Median age
- 38.5
- Under 18
- 18.7%
- 65 and older
- 11.6%
- Households
- 513
- Foreign-born
- 1.8%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gardner ›
Education in Gardner
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Gardner have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 1.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gardner
- Unemployment rate
- 13.5%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 1.7%
- Drive alone
- 94.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.1%
Gardner vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner | 1,410 | $88,092 | $199,600 | $979 |
| South Wilmington | 600 | $86,750 | $174,400 | $1,277 |
| Braceville | 860 | $89,167 | $187,900 | — |
| Godley | 602 | $53,438 | $144,600 | $1,386 |
| Coal City | 5,317 | $72,857 | $201,600 | $1,123 |
| Essex | 1,026 | $108,250 | $228,200 | $1,143 |
| Mazon | 1,401 | $73,750 | $207,700 | $1,009 |
| Braidwood | 6,062 | $82,202 | $202,500 | $1,044 |
| Diamond | 2,984 | $73,201 | $220,200 | $1,357 |
More for people moving to Gardner
Gardner ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gardner: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gardner, IL?
The median household income in Gardner is $88,092, 6% higher 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 Gardner?
The median home value in Gardner is $199,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Gardner?
The median gross rent in Gardner is $979 per month, about 24.4% of household income.
Is Gardner, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 6% higher than the Illinois median; home values 24% lower than the state median. Minuses: an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 13.5%; a poverty rate of 16.1%.
What is the median age in Gardner?
The median age in Gardner is 38.5 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Gardner?
The average commute to work in Gardner is 30 minutes; 1.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gardner?
The unemployment rate in Gardner is 13.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gardner?
17.4% of adults in Gardner 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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