Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Schools
The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.
Pontiac is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 11,430 residents. The majority of Pontiac residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Pontiac is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 50%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Pontiac offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Pontiac is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Pontiac, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, housing and more.
With a livability score of 65/100, Pontiac is ranked #10,993 in the United States and #505 in Illinois. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Pontiac has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B), cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a less positive note, Pontiac does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The Pontiac unemployment rate of 2.54% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Pontiac can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Pontiac meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Pontiac. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Pontiac are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Pontiac come in at $95,600, which is 45.3% lower than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Pontiac, the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 36.7% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Pontiac | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.2% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.4% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 2.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.5% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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