What are the schools like in Gardner, IL?

Gardner is served primarily by Gardner CCSD 72C. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.1:1.

What is the median household income in Gardner?

The median household income in Gardner, IL is $77,566 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 16.3%.

What is the weather like in Gardner, IL?

Gardner has an average high temperature of 30.7°F in January and 83.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 23.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Gardner, IL affordable or expensive?

Gardner's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Gardner is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $172,000 and the median rent is $929 per month.

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

Gardner has a violent crime rate of 125.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 699.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Gardner, IL a Good Place to Live?

Gardner is a small town of 1,477 in Illinois, with a median household income of $77,566 and a 16.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Gardner stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Gardner is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Gardner 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: 102.6

Gardner's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Gardner costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Gardner, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$172,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$929	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	79.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$77,566	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Gardner's violent crime rate is 125.4 per 100,000 residents — 67% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

125.4 /100k

Property Crime

699.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Gardner is served primarily by Gardner CCSD 72C. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Gardner, IL	National Avg
School District	Gardner CCSD 72C	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.1:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	17.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Gardner sees average highs of 30.7°F in January and 83.5°F in July, with 38.5 inches of annual precipitation and 23.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Gardner, IL
Average High — January	30.7°F
Average High — July	83.5°F
Annual Precipitation	38.5"
Annual Snowfall	23.3"

Demographics

Metric	Gardner, IL	National Avg
Population	1,477	—
Median Age	38.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	16.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	29.4 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	84.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	8.6%	18.9%
Asian	2.3%	6.3%
Under 18	20.6%	22.2%
65 and over	14.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

South Wilmington, IL 2 mi East Brooklyn, IL 3 mi Braceville, IL 3 mi Godley, IL 5 mi Coal City, IL 6 mi

ZIP Codes in Gardner

Gardner, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

60424

Gardner vs Other Cities

Gardner, IL vs South Wilmington, IL Gardner, IL vs East Brooklyn, IL Gardner, IL vs Braceville, IL Gardner, IL vs Godley, IL Gardner, IL vs Coal City, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gardner, IL affordable or expensive?

Gardner's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Gardner roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $172,000 and median rent is $929/month.

What is the crime rate in Gardner, IL?

Gardner's violent crime rate is 125.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 699.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Gardner?

Public schools in Gardner are operated by Gardner CCSD 72C. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.1:1. 17.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Gardner, IL a good place to live?

Gardner, IL has a population of 1,477, a median household income of $77,566, and an unemployment rate of 16.3%. 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 Gardner?

Gardner averages 30.7°F in January and 83.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.5 inches with about 23.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Gardner?

Gardner, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 60424.

What is the population of Gardner?

The population of Gardner, Illinois is 1,477 with a median age of 38.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Gardner?

Key numbers for living in Gardner: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $172,000, median household income $77,566, crime index 33 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gardner side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.