Living in Pekin, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Pekin · Census data 2020–2024
Pekin has 31,781 residents with a median age of 41.9. The median household income is $60,790 (27% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $120,700, the median rent is $819/month.
Pekin at a glance
- Population
- 31,781
- Median age
- 41.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $60,790State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $120,700State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $819/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 68.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.9%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Pekin a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 27% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Pekin
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Pekin the median home value is $120,700, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, which is 25.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,163 a month in housing costs.
Pekin median household income
The median household income in Pekin is $60,790 and the income per person is $34,700. 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Pekin: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,536
- Owner-occupied
- 68.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 31.6%
- Vacant
- 7.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.21
Pekin demographics
- Population
- 31,781
- Median age
- 41.9
- Under 18
- 19.4%
- 65 and older
- 19.4%
- Households
- 13,503
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Pekin ›
Education in Pekin
17.9% of adults 25 and older in Pekin have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 5.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Pekin
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 7.4%
- Drive alone
- 81.3%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.9%
Pekin vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pekin | 31,781 | $60,790 | $120,700 | $819 |
| North Pekin | 1,571 | $80,224 | $125,600 | $1,154 |
| Marquette Heights | 2,492 | $75,625 | $123,800 | $1,315 |
| Mapleton | 332 | $67,813 | $106,300 | $567 |
| Bartonville | 5,841 | $72,821 | $139,100 | $1,214 |
| Creve Coeur | 4,621 | $47,993 | $85,500 | $883 |
| South Pekin | 883 | $67,176 | $106,400 | $800 |
| Kingston Mines | 182 | $51,875 | $75,000 | $575 |
| Tremont | 2,366 | $79,810 | $187,400 | $1,037 |
More for people moving to Pekin
Pekin ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Pekin: FAQ
What is the median household income in Pekin, IL?
The median household income in Pekin is $60,790, 27% 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 Pekin?
The median home value in Pekin is $120,700, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Pekin?
The median gross rent in Pekin is $819 per month, about 25.1% of household income.
Is Pekin, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 27% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 12.8%.
What is the median age in Pekin?
The median age in Pekin is 41.9 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Pekin?
The average commute to work in Pekin is 22 minutes; 7.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Pekin?
The unemployment rate in Pekin is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Pekin?
17.9% of adults in Pekin 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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