c.1887 Four Bedroom Illinois Home With Stunning Original Elements Under $120K

c.1887 Four Bedroom Illinois Home With Stunning Original Elements. This historical property has lovely detail and design. The fall foliage is on full display! On a third of an acre.

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Pros of Living in Pekin, IL

1. Relatively Affordable Cost of Living

   • AreaVibes reports that Pekin’s cost of living is ~12% lower than the Illinois average.

   • According to HomeSnacks, the cost-of-living index for Pekin is 85 (on a 100 = U.S. average scale), meaning expenses are fairly manageable.

   • Median rent is not very high: HomeSnacks lists it at around $792.

   • Home values are moderate: per Data USA, the median property value is $118,200.

2. Good Homeownership Rate

   • Data USA shows a homeownership rate of ~66.8% in Pekin, which is slightly above the U.S. average.

   • With relatively affordable housing, it’s easier to get into homeownership vs more expensive metros.

3. Moderate Commute

   • The average commute time is ~21.3 minutes, per Data USA.

   • Many people drive alone; car ownership is common (average ~2 cars per household), which suggests a car-oriented but manageable daily life.

4. Stable-ish Population

   • The population is around 31,800 (Data USA).

   • While there was a slight population decrease recently, it’s not a rapid decline, meaning the city isn’t collapsing in terms of residents.

5. Decent Livability

   • AreaVibes gives Pekin a “Livability Score” of 75/100, which they call “excellent.”

   • According to Niche, residents note it has a “small-town vibe” but with access to “many modern amenities.”

   • Diversity is moderate: Niche gives a B for diversity, which suggests a mix but not super high ethnic variety.

6. Reasonable Income

   • Median household income is reported at $58,355 by Data USA.

   • That’s not super high, but it’s decent relative to housing costs in the city.

7. Aging but Affordable Housing

   • According to the Consolidated Plan (city planning document), there are some housing-burden concerns, but many homes remain quite affordable.

   • This could be good for people looking to buy and invest in housing, especially long term.

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Cons / Challenges of Living in Pekin, IL

1. Crime / Safety Concerns

   • According to HomeSnacks, the overall crime rate in Pekin is 2,685.7 per 100,000 people, which is 26.7% above the national average.

   • Property crime is notably high: per their data, property crime rate is 2,357.3 per 100K.

   • According to Niche, the “Crime & Safety” rating is C, meaning crime is a real issue.

   • CrimeGrade gives some nuance: they rate violent crime grade as B, but property crime as C.

   • The economic cost of crime is non-trivial: CrimeGrade estimates it’s about $374 per resident per year

2. Poverty Rate

   • Data USA reports that ~13% of Pekin’s population lives below the poverty line.

   • This could stress public services, schools, or economic mobility for some residents.

3. Education / Educational Attainment

   • According to Census Reporter, only ~19% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. For people who prioritize access to highly educated professionals or want a very knowledge-economy job base, this could be a downside.

4. Aging Population

   • The median age in Pekin is 41.3, according to Data USA.

   • An older population can mean less economic dynamism, potentially slower growth, and a higher burden on health and senior services.

5. Housing Cost-Burden for Low Income

   • According to the city’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, many low-income households experience “housing problems” (cost burden, lack of adequate housing).

   • For some very-low-income residents, even “affordable” housing might be straining.

6. Demographic Homogeneity

   • According to the 2020 census (via Wikipedia), Pekin is ~92.9% White.

   • Limited racial/ethnic diversity may make it less attractive to people who highly value diversity and multiculturalism.

7. Potential for Uneven Neighborhoods

   • Crime and safety vary by neighborhood: CrimeGrade notes different rates in different parts of the city.

   • That means quality of life could strongly depend on which part of Pekin you live in.

8. Limited Public Transit

   • While I didn’t find extensive transit data, the commuting data shows most people drive (Data USA says “most people in Pekin … drove alone to work”).

   • If you rely on public transit, this could be a challenge.

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