What are the schools like in Roanoke, IL?

Roanoke is served primarily by Roanoke Benson CUSD 60. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1.

What is the median household income in Roanoke?

The median household income in Roanoke, IL is $69,250 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.6%.

What is the weather like in Roanoke, IL?

Roanoke has an average high temperature of 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.9 inches.

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

Q: Is Roanoke, IL affordable or expensive?

Roanoke's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Roanoke is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $140,900 and the median rent is $1,009 per month.

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

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

Is Roanoke, IL a Good Place to Live?

Roanoke is a small town of 2,011 in Illinois, with a median household income of $69,250 and a 1.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

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

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

All Roanoke 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: 88.6

Roanoke's overall cost of living index is 88.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Roanoke costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Roanoke, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$140,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,009	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$69,250	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Roanoke is served primarily by Roanoke Benson CUSD 60. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Roanoke, IL	National Avg
School District	Roanoke Benson CUSD 60	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Roanoke sees average highs of 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July, with 38.2 inches of annual precipitation and 27.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Roanoke, IL
Average High — January	32.8°F
Average High — July	86.1°F
Annual Precipitation	38.2"
Annual Snowfall	27.9"

Demographics

Metric	Roanoke, IL	National Avg
Population	2,011	—
Median Age	39.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	21.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	25.8%	22.2%
65 and over	20.6%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Secor, IL 5 mi Benson, IL 6 mi Eureka, IL 7 mi Lowpoint, IL 8 mi Metamora, IL 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Roanoke

Roanoke, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

61561

Roanoke vs Other Cities

Roanoke, IL vs Secor, IL Roanoke, IL vs Benson, IL Roanoke, IL vs Eureka, IL Roanoke, IL vs Lowpoint, IL Roanoke, IL vs Metamora, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roanoke, IL affordable or expensive?

Roanoke's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Roanoke roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $140,900 and median rent is $1,009/month.

What is the crime rate in Roanoke, IL?

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

What are the schools like in Roanoke?

Public schools in Roanoke are operated by Roanoke Benson CUSD 60. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 22.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Roanoke, IL a good place to live?

Roanoke, IL has a population of 2,011, a median household income of $69,250, and an unemployment rate of 1.6%. 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke averages 32.8°F in January and 86.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.2 inches with about 27.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Roanoke?

Roanoke, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61561.

What is the population of Roanoke?

The population of Roanoke, Illinois is 2,011 with a median age of 39.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Roanoke?

Key numbers for living in Roanoke: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $140,900, median household income $69,250, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Roanoke side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.