Living in Sheldon, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sheldon · Census data 2020–2024
Sheldon has 1,195 residents with a median age of 43.5. The median household income is $44,280 (47% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $78,000, the median rent is $801/month.
Sheldon is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Sheldon at a glance
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 43.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $44,280State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $78,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $801/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 68.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.9%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Sheldon a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 70% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 47% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 18.3%; a poverty rate of 19.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Sheldon
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sheldon the median home value is $78,000, 77% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $801 per month, which is 29.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $861 a month in housing costs.
Sheldon median household income
The median household income in Sheldon is $44,280 and the income per person is $33,118. 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Sheldon: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 598
- Owner-occupied
- 68.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 31.6%
- Vacant
- 7.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1952
- Average household size
- 2.13
Sheldon demographics
- Population
- 1,195
- Median age
- 43.5
- Under 18
- 21.4%
- 65 and older
- 17.2%
- Households
- 551
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 7.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sheldon ›
Education in Sheldon
7.9% of adults 25 and older in Sheldon have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 1.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sheldon
- Unemployment rate
- 18.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 2.1%
- Drive alone
- 83.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 75.1%
Sheldon vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | $78,000 | $801 |
| Iroquois | 185 | $53,750 | $92,600 | $738 |
| Kentland | 1,828 | $59,500 | $114,000 | $855 |
| Donovan | 281 | $48,917 | $87,100 | $1,021 |
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | $103,700 | $790 |
| Woodland | 297 | $51,932 | $86,400 | — |
| Earl Park | 342 | $59,375 | $86,900 | $975 |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | $74,600 | $716 |
| Brook | 900 | $53,571 | $116,200 | $880 |
More for people moving to Sheldon
Sheldon ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sheldon: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sheldon, IL?
The median household income in Sheldon is $44,280, 47% 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 Sheldon?
The median home value in Sheldon is $78,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Sheldon?
The median gross rent in Sheldon is $801 per month, about 29.8% of household income.
Is Sheldon, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 70% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 47% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 18.3%; a poverty rate of 19.2%.
What is the median age in Sheldon?
The median age in Sheldon is 43.5 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Sheldon?
The average commute to work in Sheldon is 21 minutes; 2.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sheldon?
The unemployment rate in Sheldon is 18.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sheldon?
7.9% of adults in Sheldon 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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