Downtown Kewanee 2026 · Jaylon Vermost / CC BY 4.0KewaneeRadioStations · Chris Cervantez (Netchris) / CC BY-SA 3.0PostcardKewaneeILWestSecondStreet1908 · Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain
Kewanee is a small city of 12,179 in Illinois, with a median household income of $46,305
and a 6.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Kewanee stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Kewanee is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Kewanee 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: 89.3
Kewanee's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Kewanee costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Kewanee, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$63,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$751
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
68.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$46,305
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Kewanee's violent crime rate is 22.5 per 100,000 residents
— 94% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
22.5 /100k
Property Crime
257.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Kewanee is served primarily by Kewanee CUSD 229.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Kewanee, IL
National Avg
School District
Kewanee CUSD 229
—
Elementary Schools
3
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
83.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Kewanee sees average highs of 30.3°F in January
and 83.7°F in July,
with 39.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 30.8 inches of snow per year.
Kewanee's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Kewanee roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $63,400 and median rent is $751/month.
Kewanee's violent crime rate is 22.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 257.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Kewanee are operated by Kewanee CUSD 229.
The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 14.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Kewanee, IL has a population of 12,179, a median household income of $46,305, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%.
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.
Kewanee averages 30.3°F in January and 83.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 39.6 inches
with about 30.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Kewanee, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61443.
The population of Kewanee, Illinois is 12,179 with a median age of 43.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Kewanee: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $63,400, median household income $46,305, crime index 8 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Kewanee side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
