Is Bellwood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Bellwood
Bellwood, a village nestled in Cook County, Illinois, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, located just 13 miles west of Chicago’s Loop. This proximity provides residents with convenient access to the amenities and opportunities of a major metropolitan area while maintaining a distinct community atmosphere. The village’s strategic location, bordered by major expressways and rail lines, facilitates easy commutes and travel.
With a population of over 18,000 residents, Bellwood presents a diverse community with a rich history. Its motto, “Your Family Is Our Future,” underscores a commitment to fostering a family-friendly environment. The village has evolved significantly since its incorporation in 1900, transforming from its early days as farmland to the established community it is today.
Is it Safe to Live in Bellwood?
Bellwood’s overall crime rate is 29% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents, with an average of 0.73 daily crimes, including 0.15 violent incidents and 0.58 property offenses (according to AreaVibes). The violent crime rate is 3.366 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 29 in the northeast to 1 in 46 in the northwest neighborhoods (according to CrimeGrade.org).
However, other data indicates a different perspective, with the average violent crime rate standing at 163.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 53.7% above the national average. Property crime averages 123.8 per 100,000, which is 24.3% below the national average. The most common offense reported was violent crime, while motor vehicle theft had the lowest rate (according to Crime Explorer). The C grade from CrimeGrade.org suggests that the rate of violent crime is slightly higher than that of the average U.S. city, with Bellwood ranking in the 40th percentile for safety.
Housing Costs and Real Estate Trends
The median home value in Bellwood is approximately $230,000, with an estimated market value around $255,890 (according to Bellwood Authority). This median home value is lower than the Illinois state median of $314,700 (according to Bellwood Authority). The homeownership rate stands at a robust 78.4%, which is above the U.S. average of approximately 65% (according to Bellwood Authority).
The Bellwood housing market is described as somewhat competitive, with homes receiving an average of two offers and selling in about 118 days. The median sale price of a home was $302,000 last month, marking a 13.1% increase year-over-year (according to Redfin). The median listing home price is $282,500, and homes typically spend an average of 35 days on the market (according to Realtor.com®).
Rental Market Overview
The average rent in Bellwood, IL, is around $1,850 per month, which is 7.5% lower than the national average of $2,000 (according to Zumper). Apartments.com reports the average rent at $918 per month, making it 44% lower than the national average rent of $1,642/month. Rent prices have shown some fluctuation, with a 4% decrease in the last month and a 3% increase over the last year (according to Zumper).
For specific floor plans, a studio apartment averages $1,010 per month, a one-bedroom is around $918 per month, and a two-bedroom can cost about $1,525 per month. Three-bedroom rentals could be $1,180 or more (according to Apartments.com). To comfortably afford the average rent, a monthly income of about $3,060 or $36,720 annually is suggested, following the guideline of paying no more than 30% of income on rent (according to Apartments.com).
Job Market and Economic Landscape
Bellwood’s job market is supported by a workforce of 8,916 residents. Approximately 73% of the working population is employed in professional or administrative positions, while 27% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. A significant portion of residents, 68.3%, work for private companies, with 18.2% employed in the public sector and 4.6% owning their own businesses (according to Point2Homes).
The average annual salary in Bellwood is approximately $49,639, which translates to about $23.86 per hour. Most salaries range between $36,250 and $59,254 annually. Some of the highest-paying jobs in Bellwood include Project Manager, Construction, and Firefighter, which can pay significantly above the city’s average salary (according to ZipRecruiter).
Unemployment and Major Employers
The unemployment rate in Bellwood currently stands at 6.3%, representing the share of the workforce actively seeking employment (according to Point2Homes). Data from 2024 indicates an unemployment rate of 5.1% for the village (according to Illinois Department of Employment Security). Specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, but the presence of various industrial and commercial organizations contributes to the local economy.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Bellwood experiences a climate characterized by warm, wet summers and freezing, snowy, and windy winters, with partly cloudy conditions year-round. Temperatures typically range from 19°F to 84°F, rarely dropping below 0°F or exceeding 92°F (according to Weather Spark). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 83°F and a low of 67°F.
Conversely, the cold season extends from late November to early March, with January being the coldest month, averaging a low of 19°F and a high of 32°F. The chance of wet days is higher from late March to early October, with June having the most precipitation days. January sees the fewest wet days (according to Weather Spark).
Average Rainfall and Temperature
The average annual rainfall in Bellwood is approximately 38 inches (according to Livability.com). In May, the weather averages around 68°F during the day and 52°F at night, with about 5.82 inches of rain and roughly 10 rainy days (according to WorldWeatherOnline). The climate is generally comfortable from May to September, with daily high temperatures between 65°F and 86°F.
Education System and School Ratings
Bellwood is served by Bellwood School District No. 88, which includes public schools for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, with 9% of students proficient in math and 17% proficient in reading according to state test scores (according to Niche). The top-ranked public schools in Bellwood include Lincoln Elementary School, Jefferson Primary School, and Roosevelt Middle School (according to Niche).
However, public schools in Bellwood have an average math proficiency score of 7% and a reading proficiency score of 8%, significantly lower than the Illinois public school averages of 27% and 30%, respectively. Schools in Bellwood have an average ranking in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools. Minority enrollment is high, at 99% of the student body, predominantly Black students (according to Niche).
Demographics and Population Characteristics
Bellwood has a population of approximately 18,256 residents, with a projected population of 17,972 for 2026 (according to Point2Homes). The population has seen a slight decline, with a -3.9% change from 2019 to 2024 (according to Point2Homes). The village is home to a diverse population, with Black or African American residents forming the largest group at 69.46% (according to Data USA and ZoomProspector).
Other significant demographic groups include Hispanic or Latino residents, making up 27% of the population (according to Neilsberg and Point2Homes). The median age in Bellwood is 38.7 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (according to Data USA and Neilsberg). The median household income was $79,513 in 2024 (according to Data USA and Point2Homes).