What are the schools like in Rantoul, IL?

Rantoul is served primarily by Rantoul City SD 137. The district operates 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.7:1.

What is the median household income in Rantoul?

The median household income in Rantoul, IL is $46,078 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.3%.

What is the weather like in Rantoul, IL?

Rantoul has an average high temperature of 34.4°F in January and 87.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 17.4 inches.

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

Q: Is Rantoul, IL affordable or expensive?

Rantoul's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rantoul is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $102,000 and the median rent is $888 per month.

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

Rantoul has a violent crime rate of 549.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1774.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Rantoul, IL a Good Place to Live?

Rantoul is a small city of 12,544 in Illinois, with a median household income of $46,078 and a 5.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

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

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

All Rantoul 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: 90.8

Rantoul's overall cost of living index is 90.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rantoul costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Rantoul, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$102,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$888	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	52.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$46,078	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Rantoul's violent crime rate is 549.2 per 100,000 residents — 45% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

549.2 /100k

Property Crime

1774.4 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Rantoul is served primarily by Rantoul City SD 137. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rantoul, IL	National Avg
School District	Rantoul City SD 137	—
Elementary Schools	4	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rantoul sees average highs of 34.4°F in January and 87.5°F in July, with 40.4 inches of annual precipitation and 17.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rantoul, IL
Average High — January	34.4°F
Average High — July	87.5°F
Annual Precipitation	40.4"
Annual Snowfall	17.4"

Demographics

Metric	Rantoul, IL	National Avg
Population	12,544	—
Median Age	35.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	57.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	22.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	6.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.7%	6.3%
Under 18	28.2%	22.2%
65 and over	16.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Thomasboro, IL 4 mi Ludlow, IL 6 mi Dewey, IL 7 mi Gifford, IL 7 mi Fisher, IL 10 mi

ZIP Codes in Rantoul

Rantoul, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

61866

Rantoul vs Other Cities

Rantoul, IL vs Thomasboro, IL Rantoul, IL vs Ludlow, IL Rantoul, IL vs Dewey, IL Rantoul, IL vs Gifford, IL Rantoul, IL vs Fisher, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rantoul, IL affordable or expensive?

Rantoul's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Rantoul roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $102,000 and median rent is $888/month.

What is the crime rate in Rantoul, IL?

Rantoul's violent crime rate is 549.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1774.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Rantoul?

Public schools in Rantoul are operated by Rantoul City SD 137. The district has 4 elementary, 2 middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1. 12.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rantoul, IL a good place to live?

Rantoul, IL has a population of 12,544, a median household income of $46,078, and an unemployment rate of 5.3%. 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 Rantoul?

Rantoul averages 34.4°F in January and 87.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.4 inches with about 17.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Rantoul?

Rantoul, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61866.

What is the population of Rantoul?

The population of Rantoul, Illinois is 12,544 with a median age of 35.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rantoul?

Key numbers for living in Rantoul: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $102,000, median household income $46,078, crime index 121 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rantoul side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.