Hillsboro 63 Average
Hillsboro Livability #757 ranked city in Illinois#15,185 ranked city in the USARanks better than 48% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Hillsboro

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Hillsboro?

Hillsboro, Illinois is a small city with a population of 6,368 inhabitants. The majority of Hillsboro residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. In Hillsboro, only 39% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Something to be aware of when living in Hillsboro are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 32 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Hillsboro, Illinois could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, commute, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Hillsboro and in the areas around Hillsboro is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 64 out of 100, Hillsboro is ranked #13,697 in the United States and #692 in Illinois. If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Hillsboro ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), employment (B) and housing (A+). The bad news for Hillsboro, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and education (F).

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Hillsboro has an unemployment rate of 0.6% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Hillsboro excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Hillsboro meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Hillsboro. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Hillsboro are simply unattainable. The median home price for Hillsboro homes is $161,210, which is 47.8% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hillsboro, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.8, which is 48.6% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hillsboro

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Hillsboro?

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Compare Hillsboro, IL Livability

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      Hillsboro transportation information

      Statistic Hillsboro Illinois National
      Average one way commute32min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work88.7%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.5%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home0.5%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Hillsboro, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.