Crime
This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.
Employment
With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Schools
The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
St. Charles is a medium-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 33,452 residents. The majority of St. Charles residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in St. Charles entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in St. Charles, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around St. Charles, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, education, employment, housing and more.
With a livability score of 79/100, St. Charles is ranked #1,897 in the United States and #99 in Illinois. Clearly, St. Charles is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. St. Charles has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that St. Charles has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (B), crime (A), education (A-) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in St. Charles. The following was graded with a discouraging score: cost of living (F).
If you're living in St. Charles, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making St. Charles an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Steel Beam Theater, Otter Cove Aquatic Park, and St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats.
Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. St. Charles gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 92 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. St. Charles 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.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to St. Charles is real estate affordability. The median home price for St. Charles homes is $550,665, which is 78.5% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Charles, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.9% higher than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | St. Charles | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 76.6% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.7% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 4.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.4% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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