What are the schools like in Golden, IL?

Golden is served primarily by Central CUSD 3. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.0:1.

What is the median household income in Golden?

The median household income in Golden, IL is $58,500 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

What is the weather like in Golden, IL?

Golden has an average high temperature of 33.8°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 24.1 inches.

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

Q: Is Golden, IL affordable or expensive?

Golden's cost of living index is 90, where 100 represents the national average. This means Golden is 10% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $110,400 and the median rent is $625 per month.

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

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

Is Golden, IL a Good Place to Live?

Golden is a small town of 771 in Illinois, with a median household income of $58,500 and a 2.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is 10% below the national average.

Strengths: Golden stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-).

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

All Golden 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: 89.9

Golden's overall cost of living index is 89.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Golden costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.

Metric	Golden, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$110,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$625	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$58,500	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Golden is served primarily by Central CUSD 3. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Golden, IL	National Avg
School District	Central CUSD 3	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	25.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Golden sees average highs of 33.8°F in January and 86.5°F in July, with 40.2 inches of annual precipitation and 24.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Golden, IL
Average High — January	33.8°F
Average High — July	86.5°F
Annual Precipitation	40.2"
Annual Snowfall	24.1"

Demographics

Metric	Golden, IL	National Avg
Population	771	—
Median Age	34.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	28.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	99.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	24.4%	22.2%
65 and over	24.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

La Prairie, IL 3 mi Camp Point, IL 6 mi Clayton, IL 6 mi Bowen, IL 9 mi Augusta, IL 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Golden

Golden, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

62339

Golden vs Other Cities

Golden, IL vs La Prairie, IL Golden, IL vs Camp Point, IL Golden, IL vs Clayton, IL Golden, IL vs Bowen, IL Golden, IL vs Augusta, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Golden, IL affordable or expensive?

Golden's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average. That makes Golden roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $110,400 and median rent is $625/month.

What is the crime rate in Golden, IL?

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

What are the schools like in Golden?

Public schools in Golden are operated by Central CUSD 3. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.0:1. 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Golden, IL a good place to live?

Golden, IL has a population of 771, a median household income of $58,500, and an unemployment rate of 2.7%. 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 Golden?

Golden averages 33.8°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.2 inches with about 24.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Golden?

Golden, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 62339.

What is the population of Golden?

The population of Golden, Illinois is 771 with a median age of 34.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Golden?

Key numbers for living in Golden: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $110,400, median household income $58,500, schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Golden side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.