Wheeling 69 Good
Wheeling Livability #403 ranked city in Illinois#8,295 ranked city in the USARanks better than 71% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Wheeling

PROS
  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

  • Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

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What's it like Living in Wheeling?

Wheeling is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 38,684 residents. Wheeling has a population density of 4,461 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Wheeling identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 26% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Wheeling your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Wheeling is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating 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. The best areas in Wheeling and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Illinois and national averages.

Wheeling has a livability score of 69/100 and is ranked #343 in Illinois and #7,467 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Wheeling has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), employment (A) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Wheeling does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Wheeling has a violent crime rate of 167 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Wheeling, the unemployment rate stands at 2.51%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Wheeling has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Wheeling is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Wheeling come in at $202,000, which is 15.6% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Wheeling, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 6.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Wheeling

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Compare Wheeling, IL Livability

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      Wheeling transportation information

      Statistic Wheeling Illinois National
      Average one way commute25min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.6%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.6%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.9%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home5.9%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Wheeling, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).