What are the schools like in Mendota, IL?

Mendota is served primarily by Mendota CCSD 289. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1.

What is the median household income in Mendota?

The median household income in Mendota, IL is $60,601 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

What is the weather like in Mendota, IL?

Mendota has an average high temperature of 27.9°F in January and 81.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 25.3 inches.

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

Q: Is Mendota, IL affordable or expensive?

Mendota's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Mendota is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $122,200 and the median rent is $774 per month.

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

Mendota has a violent crime rate of 130.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 377.2 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Mendota, IL a Good Place to Live?

Mendota is a small town of 6,961 in Illinois, with a median household income of $60,601 and a 3.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

Strengths: Mendota stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

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

All Mendota 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: 92.2

Mendota's overall cost of living index is 92.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Mendota costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Mendota, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$122,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$774	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	71.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$60,601	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Mendota's violent crime rate is 130.6 per 100,000 residents — 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

130.6 /100k

Property Crime

377.2 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Mendota is served primarily by Mendota CCSD 289. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Mendota, IL	National Avg
School District	Mendota CCSD 289	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	86.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Mendota sees average highs of 27.9°F in January and 81.9°F in July, with 38.4 inches of annual precipitation and 25.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Mendota, IL
Average High — January	27.9°F
Average High — July	81.9°F
Annual Precipitation	38.4"
Annual Snowfall	25.3"

Demographics

Metric	Mendota, IL	National Avg
Population	6,961	—
Median Age	38.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	81.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	13.7%	18.9%
Asian	1.7%	6.3%
Under 18	23.0%	22.2%
65 and over	20.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Triumph, IL 6 mi Troy Grove, IL 6 mi Sublette, IL 9 mi Earlville, IL 9 mi Compton, IL 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Mendota

Mendota, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

61342

Mendota vs Other Cities

Mendota, IL vs Triumph, IL Mendota, IL vs Troy Grove, IL Mendota, IL vs Sublette, IL Mendota, IL vs Earlville, IL Mendota, IL vs Compton, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mendota, IL affordable or expensive?

Mendota's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Mendota roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $122,200 and median rent is $774/month.

What is the crime rate in Mendota, IL?

Mendota's violent crime rate is 130.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 377.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Mendota?

Public schools in Mendota are operated by Mendota CCSD 289. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1. 19.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Mendota, IL a good place to live?

Mendota, IL has a population of 6,961, a median household income of $60,601, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. 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 Mendota?

Mendota averages 27.9°F in January and 81.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.4 inches with about 25.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Mendota?

Mendota, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61342.

What is the population of Mendota?

The population of Mendota, Illinois is 6,961 with a median age of 38.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Mendota?

Key numbers for living in Mendota: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $122,200, median household income $60,601, crime index 28 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mendota side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.