Last Updated on: 2nd October 2023, 12:37 pm
Nestled in Central Illinois, Morton is a cozy village and a suburb of Peoria. Morton is known for being the “Pumpkin Capital of the World” and produces 82% of the world’s canned pumpkin. In addition to this claim to fame, Morton boasts low crime rates, a convenient location, and a thriving economy. As such, Morton is a good place to live. If you are thinking about moving to Morton, IL, then you need to know about everything that this incredible village has to offer.
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Where Is Morton IL?
Where is Morton, Illinois? Morton, IL is in Tazewell County in Central Illinois. Morton is in a very convenient location, as it is only 10.2 miles from Morton, IL to Peoria, IL. It is only 29.7 miles from Morton, IL to Bloomington, IL, and 158 miles from Morton, IL to Chicago, IL.
Cities and communities bordering Morton include Mayfair, Allentown, and Groveland. The Farmdale Reservoir is located directly north of the village of Morton, IL.
Morton IL Population & Demographics
The population of Morton, IL is 17,117, according to the US Census. Morton is also a part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 402,391 and is made up of six counties in Central Illinois. Morton, Illinois is popular among families, and the average age in the village is 41.8. Of the 7,026 households in Morton, 73.0% are occupied by married couples, 16.0% by non-family members, 9.0% by a female householder, and 3.0% by a male householder.
Morton is an affluent area, with a median household income of $81,792. This is about 1.3 times the amount in the Peoria Metro Area ($62,684) and 10.0% higher than the Illinois average ($72,563).
Additional Morton Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 53% female, 47% male
- Racial and ethnic composition: 95.0% White (93.1% non-Hispanic), 2.2% two or more races, 1.5% Asian, 1.1% Black or African American
- Educational attainment: 96.8% high school degree (or higher), 42.8% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign-born population: 2.4%
A few notable people from the Morton area include Senator Roger Sommer, sportswriter Dave Kindred, and basketball player Derek Grimm.
Morton, Illinois is a very safe place to live. Here is a breakdown of the crime in Morton, IL.
- Overall Morton crime rate: 252 crimes per 100,000 people (87.3% lower than state average and 89.3% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate in Morton: 92 crimes per 100,000 people (78.4% lower than state average and 76.3% lower than national average)
- Property crime in Morton: 160 crimes per 100,000 people (89.7% lower than state average and 91.8% lower than national average)
- Chance of becoming a victim of a crime in Morton: 1 in 397
The Morton Police Department has 18 sworn officers who work to protect residents living in Morton, Illinois.
Cost of Living in Morton
How much does it cost to live in Morton? One of the biggest benefits of living in Morton is that it is very affordable. The Morton Cost of Living Index is 86.7, making the village 13.3% more affordable than the national average of 100. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family living in Morton would need to make $84,438 per year to earn a comfortable living.
Typical Morton Living Expenses
- Average Morton utilities per month: $159.49
- Loaf of bread: $3.91
- Gallon of milk: $2.45
- Carton of eggs: $2.27
- Hamburger: $5.18
- Gallon of gas: $3.63
- Monthly phone bill: $171.58
Source: Payscale
If you are on the hunt for homes for sale in Morton, IL, then you will be happy to know that the Morton real estate market is very affordable! Rocket Mortgage ranked Illinois as the second-cheapest state to buy a house, and the Morton, IL real estate market reflects this. The average home price in Morton is $234,950, which is well below the national average of $420,846.
If you are looking to rent Morton, Illinois, real estate, then there are also many affordable options for you to consider. According to Payscale, the average rent in Morton is $1,308 per month. Here’s how this compares to nearby cities:
- Peoria: $1,698
- Bloomington: $1,099
- Chicago: $2,309
- Evanston: $2,295
Popular apartments in Morton include the Cape Cod Apartments of Morton, IL, and Colony South Apartments.
Neighborhoods in Morton | Where to Live in Morton
Here are a few of the best Morton neighborhoods for you to consider settling down in.
Downtown Morton | Hip Area Great for Young Professionals
Downtown Morton is one of the best places to live in Morton. This area is walkable and is full of local shops and restaurants. This area is also the site of the annual Pumpkin Festival in Morton, IL.
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North Morton | Quiet Neighborhood Popular Among Retirees
If you are searching for a quiet place to live, then take a look at North Morton. The northern area of Morton is full of outdoor recreation areas, including Northwood Park and Oakwood Park. The homes in North Morton are mostly single-family homes, many of which look out on the beautiful Ackerman Creek.
Idlewood Park | Family-Friendly Area Close to Top-Rated Schools
The homes around Idlewood Park are very popular among families with small children. This area is home to Idlewood Park itself and within walking distance of both Grundy Elementary School and Solid Rock Christian Academy.
Morton IL Weather & Climate
If you are looking to experience all four seasons, then you will love the weather in Morton, IL. According to the Köppen Classification, Morton has a humid continental climate, which means that the village experiences cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers.
Morton climate statistics:
- Average temperature in Morton during the summer: 75ºF
- Average temperature in Morton during the winter: 19ºF
- Morton annual snowfall: 25 inches
- Morton annual rainfall: 38 inches
Things to Do in Morton IL
After moving to Morton, IL, you can get your grocery shopping done at shops such as Aldi and Kroger. If you want to do some retail shopping, then head over to Field Shopping Center, which includes dozens of shops, restaurants, and a movie theater. Here are just a few fun things to do in Morton.
Idlewood Park
When it comes to Morton, IL parks, Idlewood is one of the best. This park includes two covered picnic shelters, grills, playgrounds, and a pool. Over the summer, Idlewood Park hosts many fun concerts and events.
450 E Greenwood St, Morton, IL 61550, 309-263-7429
Northwood Park
Northwood Park is one of the best things to do in Morton, IL. At this park, you can enjoy grills, a picnic shelter, sledding hills, and two nationally rated disc golf courses!
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22216 N Main St, Morton, IL 61550, 309-263-7429
Morton Memorial Park
This park is in the center of Downtown Morton and includes a memorial area, children’s play area, and tables and benches.
Memorial Plaza, 308 S Main St, Morton, IL 61550
Additional Morton Attractions
You can always check out the village calendar to find more things to do in Morton. The Morton Park District also runs several more parks in the area for you to enjoy.
Morton IL Restaurants
Check out these incredible restaurants in Morton, IL.
Seasons Gastropub
Seasons Gastropub is one of the most popular restaurants in Morton. Stop by and grab a cold beer and a delicious burger.
149 S Main St, Morton, IL 61550, 309-266-1169
La Fiesta
When it comes to Morton restaurants, La Fiesta is at the top of the list. This casual joint serves up tacos, nachos, and margaritas.
837 W Jackson St, Morton, IL 61550, 309-263-7403
LaGondola Spaghetti House
Take a seat at LaGondola Spaghetti House and enjoy some of the best Italian food in Morton, Illinois.
1917 S Main St, Morton, IL 61550, 309-263-7716
Jobs in Morton IL
There is no shortage of Morton jobs for you to choose from. The unemployment rate in Morton is only 2.6%, which is lower than the Illinois average (4%) and the national average (3.8%). According to Payscale, the average salary in Morton is $71,000. Morton is home to Libby’s pumpkin cannery, which produces most of the world’s canned pumpkin products. The village of Morton is also the headquarters of the Caterpillar, Inc. distribution facility, which provides hundreds of jobs to the village.
Morton is located conveniently at the intersection of I-74 and I-115 and is about halfway between the cities of Peoria and Bloomington. This incredible location provides residents living in Morton, IL, with many wonderful job opportunities in these two cities. It was recently reported by 25 News that nearly 6,400 new jobs were created in Peoria since February of 2022.
If you are moving to Morton to start a business, then you will be happy to know that the city has many resources available to you. You can visit the Morton Economic Development Council’s website to learn more about starting a company in Morton.
If you are looking for Morton, IL jobs, you can try checking out the village job board. You may also try searching for Indeed jobs in Morton, IL.
Morton Schools
Students living in Morton are served by the Morton Unit School District 709. This Morton school district contains four primary schools, one junior high school, and one high school. Morton High School is ranked as the second-best high school in the Peoria, IL metro area by US News. The school has a graduation rate of 97%, and over 28% of students participate in AP classes.
There are two private schools in Morton, IL: Bethel Lutheran School and Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. Bethel Lutheran School works together with Illinois Central College to provide students with college credit opportunities.
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While there are no colleges in Morton, there are many nearby options such as:
- Illinois Central College- East Peoria Campus: 13.1 miles away
- Methodist College: 20.1 miles away
- Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing: 10.6 miles away
The Morton, Illinois Library is available to students and residents living in the village.
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Morton Statistics & Information
- Morton, IL County: Tazewell
- Morton area: 12.85 square miles
- Morton zip code: 61550
- Morton area code: 309
- Morton elevation: 712 feet
- Morton time zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
- Closest airport to Morton: Peoria International Airport (PIA), 14.9 miles away
Morton IL Map
Discover more things to do with this map of Morton, IL.
If moving to Morton, IL is part of your plan, then get in touch with Federal Companies. Our reliable Morton movers are expertly trained and ready to handle your relocation! Give us a call today at 800-747-4100 to discuss your move and get a free quote.
