What are the schools like in Galena, IL?

Galena is served primarily by Galena USD 120. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.9:1.

What is the median household income in Galena?

The median household income in Galena, IL is $52,734 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.0%.

What is the weather like in Galena, IL?

Galena has an average high temperature of 26.9°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 39.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 37.9 inches.

Galena, IL Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Galena, IL affordable or expensive?

Galena's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Galena is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $176,500 and the median rent is $712 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Galena, IL?

Crime rate data for Galena is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Galena, IL a Good Place to Live?

Galena is a small town of 2,992 in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,734 . Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Galena stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Galena is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Galena city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 93.3

Galena's overall cost of living index is 93.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Galena costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Galena, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$176,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$712	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	62.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$52,734	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Galena is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Galena is served primarily by Galena USD 120. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Galena, IL	National Avg
School District	Galena USD 120	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	37.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	95.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Galena sees average highs of 26.9°F in January and 82.0°F in July, with 39.6 inches of annual precipitation and 37.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Galena, IL
Average High — January	26.9°F
Average High — July	82.0°F
Annual Precipitation	39.6"
Annual Snowfall	37.9"

Demographics

Metric	Galena, IL	National Avg
Population	2,992	—
Median Age	59.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	16.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	99.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.4%	6.3%
Under 18	11.6%	22.2%
65 and over	42.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

The Galena Territory, IL 6 mi Menominee, IL 7 mi St. Donatus, IA 7 mi Hazel Green, WI 8 mi Scales Mound, IL 10 mi

Galena vs Other Cities

Galena, IL vs The Galena Territory, IL Galena, IL vs Menominee, IL Galena, IL vs St. Donatus, IA Galena, IL vs Hazel Green, WI Galena, IL vs Scales Mound, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Galena, IL affordable or expensive?

Galena's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Galena roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $176,500 and median rent is $712/month.

What is the crime rate in Galena, IL?

Crime data for Galena is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Galena?

Public schools in Galena are operated by Galena USD 120. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1. 37.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Galena, IL a good place to live?

Galena, IL has a population of 2,992, a median household income of $52,734, and an unemployment rate of 0.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Galena?

Galena averages 26.9°F in January and 82.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.6 inches with about 37.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Galena?

The population of Galena, Illinois is 2,992 with a median age of 59.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Galena?

Key numbers for living in Galena: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $176,500, median household income $52,734, schools rated A. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Galena side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.