Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
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.
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.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
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.
Employment
This area earns a low score in the employment category due to low household income levels and high unemployment rates, which may pose challenges in seeking job opportunities.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Watseka is a small-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 5,075 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (95% White). Given that fact, Watseka could be considered less diverse than other cities. In Watseka, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 49, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Watseka offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Watseka, Illinois could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time 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. Finding the best places to live in Watseka and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes commute, health & safety, education and other important metrics.
Watseka has a livability score of 63 out of 100 and is ranked #746 in Illinois and #14,476 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Watseka ranks very well for crime (A-) and housing (A). The bad news for Watseka, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (F).
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. Watseka gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 179 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. Watseka 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 Watseka 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 Watseka. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Watseka are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Watseka come in at $142,994, which is 53.7% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Watseka, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 28.6% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Watseka | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.7% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.2% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.1% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.8% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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