What are the schools like in Sheldon, IL?

Sheldon is served primarily by Milford Area PSD 124. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.5:1.

What is the median household income in Sheldon?

The median household income in Sheldon, IL is $42,708 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 16.0%.

What is the weather like in Sheldon, IL?

Sheldon has an average high temperature of 33.5°F in January and 84.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 42.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 17.1 inches.

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

Q: Is Sheldon, IL affordable or expensive?

Sheldon's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Sheldon is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $70,300 and the median rent is $771 per month.

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

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

Is Sheldon, IL a Good Place to Live?

Sheldon is a small town of 1,320 in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,708 and a 16.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Sheldon 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 Sheldon is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Sheldon 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: 89.4

Sheldon's overall cost of living index is 89.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Sheldon costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Sheldon, IL	National Avg
Median Home Value	$70,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$771	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	65.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$42,708	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Sheldon is served primarily by Milford Area PSD 124. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Sheldon, IL	National Avg
School District	Milford Area PSD 124	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	8.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	78.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Sheldon sees average highs of 33.5°F in January and 84.9°F in July, with 42.4 inches of annual precipitation and 17.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Sheldon, IL
Average High — January	33.5°F
Average High — July	84.9°F
Annual Precipitation	42.4"
Annual Snowfall	17.1"

Demographics

Metric	Sheldon, IL	National Avg
Population	1,320	—
Median Age	46.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	16.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	92.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	18.7%	22.2%
65 and over	16.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Iroquois, IL 4 mi Raub, IN 5 mi Kentland, IN 6 mi Donovan, IL 8 mi Watseka, IL 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Sheldon

Sheldon, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code:

60966

Sheldon vs Other Cities

Sheldon, IL vs Iroquois, IL Sheldon, IL vs Raub, IN Sheldon, IL vs Kentland, IN Sheldon, IL vs Donovan, IL Sheldon, IL vs Watseka, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sheldon, IL affordable or expensive?

Sheldon's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Sheldon roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $70,300 and median rent is $771/month.

What is the crime rate in Sheldon, IL?

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

What are the schools like in Sheldon?

Public schools in Sheldon are operated by Milford Area PSD 124. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.5:1. 8.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Sheldon, IL a good place to live?

Sheldon, IL has a population of 1,320, a median household income of $42,708, and an unemployment rate of 16.0%. 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 Sheldon?

Sheldon averages 33.5°F in January and 84.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.4 inches with about 17.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Sheldon?

Sheldon, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 60966.

What is the population of Sheldon?

The population of Sheldon, Illinois is 1,320 with a median age of 46.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Sheldon?

Key numbers for living in Sheldon: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $70,300, median household income $42,708, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Sheldon side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.