Potomac is a small town of 821 in Illinois, with a median household income of $54,500
and a 6.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Potomac stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Potomac is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Potomac 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: 86.8
Potomac's overall cost of living index is 86.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Potomac costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Potomac, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$84,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$714
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
80.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,500
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Potomac's violent crime rate is 303.5 per 100,000 residents
— 20% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
303.5 /100k
Property Crime
151.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Potomac is served primarily by Potomac CUSD 10.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Potomac, IL
National Avg
School District
Potomac CUSD 10
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Potomac sees average highs of 33.5°F in January
and 84.8°F in July,
with 40.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 20.3 inches of snow per year.
Potomac's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Potomac roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $84,600 and median rent is $714/month.
Potomac's violent crime rate is 303.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 151.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Potomac are operated by Potomac CUSD 10.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.8:1. 15.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Potomac, IL has a population of 821, a median household income of $54,500, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%.
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.
Potomac averages 33.5°F in January and 84.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.9 inches
with about 20.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Potomac, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61865.
The population of Potomac, Illinois is 821 with a median age of 29.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Potomac: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $84,600, median household income $54,500, crime index 51 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Potomac side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.