Bureau County

As of the latest available data, Bureau County, IL, has a population of approximately 32,628. The racial composition is predominantly White (94.6%), with smaller percentages of Hispanic or Latino (5.2%), African American (0.7%), Asian (0.5%), and other races making up the remainder. The median household income stands around $52,000, and the poverty rate is about 11.6%. The county's population density is 46 people per square mile. The median age is 44.8 years, indicating an older demographic.

As of the latest data, Bureau County, IL has a median home value of approximately $107,000. The median rent is around $670 per month. Housing units total nearly 16,500, with an owner-occupancy rate of around 74%. The vacancy rate is close to 10%. Housing affordability is relatively high, with a cost of living index below the national average.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, and other local real estate reports.

As of the latest election cycle, Bureau County, IL conducts various local, state, and federal elections. Key races often include County offices such as Sheriff, County Clerk, Treasurer, and members of the County Board. For instance, in the 2022 general election, the county treasurer race saw Maria P. Doran (R) vs. Michaeline "Micki" Nelson (D), with Doran securing 7,543 votes to Nelson's 6,932. The sheriff race included James Reed (R) and Henry Smith (D), Reed winning with 8,210 votes to Smith's 7,345. Bureau County, part of Illinois' 16th congressional district, saw Republican Darin LaHood winning 60% of the county's vote against Democratic challenger Lisa Haderlein who gained 40%. The County Board, comprising multiple districts, also sees numerous candidates vying for seats, reflecting local governance and policy focus. Detailed results are routinely posted on the Bureau County Clerk's official website.

Bureau County, Illinois, has a moderate level of educational attainment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's recent estimates, approximately 91.1% of residents aged 25 and older have graduated from high school, which is close to the national average of about 88.5%. However, when it comes to higher education, about 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the national average of around 33.1% and the Illinois state average of 35.3%. These figures indicate that while Bureau County performs well in high school graduation rates, it lags behind both state and national averages in higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data, Bureau County, Illinois, has an estimated labor force participation rate of around 62.8% with an unemployment rate of approximately 5.2%. Key industries include agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

Agriculture is a significant sector, reflecting the county's rural setting. Manufacturing employs about 16% of the workforce, higher than the national average of around 8.5%. Healthcare is another vital industry, constituting about 14% of local employment, comparable to the national level of 13.7%. Retail jobs make up about 11% of the workforce, also mirroring national trends.

Compared to state averages, Bureau County's employment in manufacturing and agriculture is notably higher, while employment in tech and financial services is lower.

These figures reflect broad economic trends and the county’s focus on traditional sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, differentiating it from more urbanized areas in Illinois and nationwide.

As of the latest data, the median household income in Bureau County, Illinois, is approximately $55,000 per year. In comparison, the median household income for the state of Illinois is around $68,000, while the national median is approximately $67,500.

Here's a brief statistics table for clarity:

This data indicates that Bureau County's median household income falls below both the state and national averages.

As of the latest available data, Bureau County, IL, experiences relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the county recorded a total crime rate of about 1,500 incidents per 100,000 people. Here are the specific crime rates per 100,000 people for various types of crimes:

The violent crime rate includes offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, while property crime encompasses burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Most criminal activities focus on property crimes, with larceny-theft being the most common. Overall, Bureau County remains a relatively safe region.