Moving to Illinois
Illinois, otherwise known as ‘Prairie State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to IL, we have organized a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful data to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the East North Central Region of the country, Illinois is bordered by Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. With a total land area of over 57,914.38 Square Miles, it comes in as the 25th largest state.
Population
Currently, the population of IL is 12,801,539 making it the 5th most populated state in the union and the 12th most densely populated. The state capital, Springfield, has a population of 114738. which is the 19th smallest capital in the country.
Other Populous Illinois Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Chicago | 2,704,958 |
| 111 | Aurora | 201,110 |
| 174 | Joliet | 148,262 |
| 175 | Rockford | 147,651 |
| 177 | Naperville | 147,122 |
| 241 | Springfield | 115,715 |
| 244 | Peoria | 114,265 |
| 256 | Elgin | 112,123 |
Notable Illinoisans
Illinois is home to numerous famous and some infamous people such as, Franklin Pierce Adams a memorable author is from Chicago and Jane Addams a memorable social worker is from Cedarville. Others include people like Gillian Anderson a actress and Mary Astor a actress .
Climate
Illinois’s location in the interior of the North American continent exposes it to a climate with large ranges in temperature with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The lack of mountains to the north or south allows very cold air masses from the Arctic in the winter and warm, humid air masses from the Gulf of Mexico in the summer to move into the state, further increasing the range of conditions that affect Illinois. Temperature varies widely across the state, with a range of about 10°F from north to south. In northeastern Illinois, Lake Michigan moderates the temperature, causing cooler summers and warmer winters. Topography and urban areas also have local impacts on climate.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new area. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Illinois’s violent crime rate is 37 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 207per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.
Illinois ranks #22 in the US for violent crime and #36 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Illinois’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C+
Illinois spends on average $12753.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). IL ranks #15 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While IL ranks #15 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 85.60%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Illinois ranks #6 with over 53.40% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for Illinois is 3.75% which ranks 12th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. IL’s rate is $42.25 which ranks 42nd in the US.
Currently, IL sales tax is $16.42 for which it comes in as 10th compared to other states.
Sports
Illinois fans are not only devoted but also very tried-and-true to their local major league teams. Illinois is home to the following teams: the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Fire, and the Chicago White Sox .
Utility Companies
Before you move to Illinois, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in IL.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to Illinois, visit their website at http://www.state.il.us/