Fairbury 75 Excellent
Fairbury Livability #193 ranked city in Illinois#3,755 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Fairbury

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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

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.

What's it like Living in Fairbury?

Fairbury, Illinois is a small city with a population of 3,744 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (96% White). Given that fact, Fairbury could be considered less diverse than other cities. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Fairbury offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Fairbury is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Fairbury, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, education and more.

Fairbury has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #144 in Illinois and #2,910 in the USA. Based on this score, Fairbury would be considered a very livable city! Fairbury also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Fairbury scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) There is at least one category that did not score well in Fairbury. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Fairbury shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 84 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fairbury 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 Fairbury 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 Fairbury. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Fairbury are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Fairbury come in at $220,623, which is 28.5% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fairbury, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 25.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fairbury

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      Fairbury transportation information

      Statistic Fairbury Illinois National
      Average one way commute17min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.9%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.9%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.1%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.5%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Fairbury, 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.