Is Streator Safe, Pros and cons of living in Streator

Streator, Illinois, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and practical amenities, making it an appealing option for those seeking a change of pace. Nestled in north-central Illinois, the city provides a more relaxed lifestyle compared to its bustling metropolitan neighbors. Its location on the Vermilion River places it within a landscape of prairie and farmland, contributing to its serene atmosphere.

The community is characterized by its history rooted in coal mining, which shaped its early development and attracted a diverse immigrant population. While the mining era has passed, Streator continues to evolve, offering a distinct character shaped by its past and present residents. This blend of history and community makes Streator a noteworthy consideration for potential new residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Streator?

Streator presents a nuanced safety profile, with crime rates that warrant careful consideration. The overall crime rate in Streator is reported to be 8% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, other sources indicate that Streator’s crime rate is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Year over year, crime in Streator has increased by 38% (as reported by AreaVibes).

Violent crime rates in Streator are reported as 48% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, the violent crime rate is 2.521 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest, with chances of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood from 1 in 23 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 59 in the northwest (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

Streator’s housing market is characterized by affordability, with a median home value of $122,609, which is up 11.1% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median listing price for homes in Streator is $149,000 (as reported by Realtor.com®). House prices in Streator are considered some of the most affordable in Illinois and the nation (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The rental market in Streator offers various options, with the average rent for all property types standing at $1,127 per month (as reported by Zillow). Median gross rent is $852 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). For renters, the median household income was $32,903 in 2022, with a rent-to-income ratio of 31.1% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Economic Landscape and Employment Opportunities

The job market in Streator is supported by a workforce of approximately 5,491 residents (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors include manufacturing, health care, and social assistance, and retail trade (as reported by Data USA). Professional and administrative positions employ a significant portion of the working population (as reported by Point2Homes).

The average annual household income in Streator was $72,272 in 2024, with a median income of $57,609 (as reported by Point2Homes). However, the average annual salary in Streator is reported as $39,229 as of April 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Streator stands at 7.9% (as reported by Point2Homes), while another source indicates an unemployment rate of 4.8% (as reported by Niche).

Climate and Environmental Factors

Streator experiences a climate with distinct seasons, featuring warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The average maximum daytime temperatures range from approximately 84°F in July to 32°F in January (as reported by Weather and Climate). The city is known for its substantial annual precipitation, reaching about 42 inches (1065 mm) (as reported by Weather and Climate).

June is typically the wettest month, with around 137 mm of precipitation over 14 rainy days (as reported by Weather and Climate). January, on the other hand, is drier, with about 46 mm of snowfall over 9 snowy days (as reported by Weather and Climate). The annual average precipitation at Streator is approximately 9.99 inches, with rainfall distributed fairly evenly throughout the year (as reported by IDcide).

Education and School System

The Streator public school system serves approximately 2,754 students across six schools (as reported by Niche). Streator’s public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% and a reading proficiency score of 17%, which are lower than the Illinois state averages (as reported by Niche). The district as a whole is ranked in the bottom half of Illinois districts, with an overall ranking of 2 out of 10 (as reported by Niche).

Among the schools, Kimes Elementary School, Woodland Elementary/Jr High School, and Centennial Elementary School are among the top-ranked public schools in Streator (as reported by Niche). However, proficiency rates across the district’s schools are significantly lower than state averages, with high rates of chronic absenteeism noted (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics and Community Profile

Streator is home to approximately 12,330 residents, with a population that has been gradually declining (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA). The median age in Streator is 38 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White, accounting for about 80.8% of the population, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other racial groups (as reported by Point2Homes).

The population is composed of 49.4% males and 50.6% females (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 94.1% of the population are U.S.-born citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The city has 5,479 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes).