Last Updated on: 6th January 2025, 01:33 pm
Have you ever been curious about what it’s like living in Urbana IL?
Urbana Illinois was first established by European settlers in 1822 and soon after organized and incorporated as a city in 1833 by its founder, Col. M. W. Busey.
While the community was originally called “Big Grove”, State Senator Joseph Vance collaborated with Busey and decided the name should be changed. They chose to call the area Urbana, after Senator Vance’s Ohio hometown with the same name. Nowadays, Urbana IL is a thriving city that still maintains its small-town feel, and thanks to excellent educational institutions, has become a highly sought-after place to live.
Here’s everything there is to know about moving to Urbana!
Table of Contents
Is Urbana IL a Good Place to Live?
Absolutely! Urbana, IL, is a wonderful place to call home. Home to the renowned University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, it’s a hub for education, culture, and innovation. Families love the top-rated schools, safe neighborhoods, and thriving youth sports programs.
Nature enthusiasts living in Urbana IL enjoy lush parks like Meadowbrook, while foodies and art lovers savor local eateries and vibrant festivals. With affordable living, diverse housing options, and a warm, welcoming community, Urbana offers an unbeatable quality of life. Whether you’re raising a family, pursuing education, or seeking a fresh start, Urbana is a place where opportunity and charm meet.
Where Is Urbana Illinois?
You might know of those living in Bloomington or have family living in Peoria, but where is Urbana IL, and what county is Urbana IL in?
The growing Illinois city of Urbana is located in Champaign County, approximately 2.5 miles directly east of downtown Champaign and 53 miles southeast of Bloomington. Urbana is 135 miles from Chicago. If you’re going to drive from Urbana to Chicago, the trip is just over two hours long.
It is directly bordered by other suburbs and cities of Central Illinois that include Somer, Lake of the Woods, Champaign, Seymour, Bondville, Mahomet, Philo, Savoy, Sidney, St. Joseph, Thomasboro, and Tolono.
Over the years, local officials have tried to merge the cities of Urbana and Champaign on numerous occasions, but the efforts have failed at the polls each time. It is, however, defined as the Champaign Urbana metro area.
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What Is the Population of Urbana IL? | Urbana Population & Demographics
How many people are living in Urbana IL? As of the 2020 Census, there are 38,336 residents, a slight 7% decline from the 2010 population of 41,250.
That said, the city of Urbana IL has grown steadily over the long term, as it has doubled in size since the 1950s with more and more newcomers moving to Urbana each year.
With 10.8% of the Urbana IL population under the age of 18 and 11.5% over the age of 65, there’s a lovely mix of age demographics here and a younger median age of 25.5 years old! There is nearly a perfect split in the gender ratio, with about 50-50 between male and female.
The median household income in Urbana is $41,115 per year.
A handful of notable people have lived or grown up in Urbana, such as Olympic speed skater Jonathan Kuck, actress Jennie Garth, and MLB pitcher Spencer Patton.
What Is the Racial Makeup of Urbana Illinois?
Local Urbana demographics show how diverse the area has become as, and the racial makeup of Urbana Illinois is 60.3% White alone (56.1% White, non-Hispanic), 16.9% Black/African American, 0.1% American Indian/Alaska Native, 14.7% Asian, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, 6.2% two or more races.
What Is the Crime Rate in Urbana?
Is Urbana a safe place to live? There aren’t FBI crime statistics for Urbana, but there are for Champaign, and considering the proximity, the crime rate in Urbana IL will reflect this figure.
The Champaign Urbana crime rate is 20.2% higher than the state and 1.9% higher than the national average, so especially for a bigger city, this is quite a respectable figure.
While anyone planning on living in Urbana IL will want to be mindful of the community they choose, overall Urbana is a very safe place to live!
There are 58 brave men and women serving as active-duty police officers on the force with the local Urbana Police Department.
Is Urbana Expensive to Live? | Cost of Living in Urbana IL
What is the cost of living in Urbana-Champaign Illinois?
The average cost of living in Urbana IL is 90.2, equating to 9.8% less than the national average and the same as the cost of living in Champaign.
Some of the lower costs new residents can expect include the Urbana real estate market, utilities, and transportation. Local groceries and healthcare costs can be a bit higher at times.
The owner-occupied housing rate in Urbana is 32.8% with just over one in three residents buying their properties in the area. As you search for Urbana IL homes for sale, you’ll find that the housing market is still somewhat competitive but on the affordable side. The median price of homes for sale in Urbana Illinois is $166,000, far less than the national average of $435,000 and equating to $137 per square foot.
Right around 64% of people residing in Urbana rent their homes or apartments instead of buying. The average rent in Urbana is $1,268 per month, almost exactly $500 less than the national average, so apartments in Urbana IL are a popular, affordable way to make living in Urbana IL a reality.
The Urbana property tax rate is 2.15% of a home’s assessed value. This means that for a home valued at the median price of $166,000, the annual property tax would be approximately $3,569.
What Is the Median Household Income in Urbana Illinois?
The median household income in Urbana is $41,115 (in 2022 dollars), less than the national average of $75,149, but the lower cost of living in Urbana IL makes this a reasonable figure.
Urbana Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Urbana
Where should you live in Urbana? For anyone thinking about relocating to the area, some of the top-rated neighborhoods for those living in Urbana IL include:
Campustown
Located along Green Street, Campustown is a vibrant district adjacent to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, bustling with diverse eateries, shops, and student-centric amenities.
Stone Creek
An upscale residential community in southeast Urbana, Stone Creek offers scenic living with its proximity to the Atkins Golf Club, providing residents with picturesque views and a tranquil environment.
Savannah Green
A family-friendly neighborhood, Savannah Green features affordable housing options and is known for its community-oriented atmosphere, making it ideal for first-time homeowners who want to make living in Urbana IL a reality.
Beringer Commons
Situated in northeast Urbana, Beringer Commons is an upscale subdivision offering spacious homes, well-maintained landscapes, and easy access to major highways, combining luxury with convenience.
What’s the Urbana IL Weather & Climate Like?
The weather in Urbana has a humid continental climate, which brings a fair amount of rain but also offers sunny skies for the most part, as those living in Urbana IL typically enjoy 193 days of sun each year.
When it comes to precipitation, the area gets about 41 inches of rain and 20 inches of snow per year so you’ll want to keep an umbrella and other warm gear close by.
The average temperature in Urbana during the winter varies between the mid-teens at night and the mid-30s in the daytime, with an average January low of 16.6 degrees.
Summers in the city warm up to comfortable temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s, with average July highs of 84.4. Overall, the weather in Urbana Illinois is varied and lovely, and just another allure of living in Urbana IL!
What Are the Best Things to Do in Urbana?
People moving to Urbana will love all of the area’s fun outdoor activities, local places to visit, and popular points of interest. There are so many fun things to do in Urbana IL!
There’s also a great supply of convenient shopping in Urbana at local stores like Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Aldi, and the Lincoln Square Mall. The Urbana Market at the Square is a community favorite.
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When you’re done shopping, be sure to check out:
Crystal Lake
A can’t-miss thing to do in Urbana is to visit the beautiful area around Crystal Lake. This gorgeous outdoor attraction features a waterside park with boat rentals, a fishing pier, picnic tables, and sports facilities, a definite highlight of living in Urbana IL.
Crystal Lake Park, 206 W Park St, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 367-1544
Meadowbrook Park
Among the top Urbana attractions, the local Meadowbrook Park is a great place for both kids and adults. It has a children’s playground, green gardens, walking trails, and a farm spread across acres of restored prairie land.
Meadowbrook Park, 2808 S Race St, Urbana, IL 61802 (217) 367-1544
Spurlock Museum
For a cultural experience when living in Urbana IL, the Spurlock Museum is a must-visit destination. Showcasing artifacts and exhibits from cultures around the world, this museum offers an engaging journey through history, art, and global traditions. It’s perfect for families, students, or anyone looking to expand their horizons.
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600 S Gregory St, Urbana, IL 61801 (217-333-2360)
Additional Urbana Attractions
The city of Urbana operates 21 local parks and other amenities, all of which are managed and maintained by the trusted Urbana Park District, which adds to the enchantment of living in Urbana IL. Aside from parks, these additional things to do in Urbana IL keep the smiles going:
- University of Illinois Arboretum, 2001 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61802
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
What Are the Top Urbana Restaurants?
Residents living in Urbana IL never go hungry with all of the fantastic places to eat that can be found around the city. Here are a few local favorite restaurants in Urbana IL!
Urbana Garden Family Restaurant
One of Urbana’s top-rated places to eat is the popular Urbana Garden Family Restaurant. This great destination offers meals all day and lets you choose between omelets, skillets, pancakes, and french toast for breakfast or burgers, salads, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
Urbana Garden Family Restaurant, 810 W Killarney St, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 328-1514
Huaraches Moroleon
Ranked as one of the top restaurants in Urbana, Huaraches Moroleon is a must-visit if you’re a fan of Mexican food. Their mouthwatering menu features delicious dishes like burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, soups, fajitas, enchiladas, tamales, and tacos.
Huaraches Moroleon, 805 Philo Rd, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 344-6772
Silvercreek Restaurant Urbana Illinois
Silvercreek Restaurant combines a cozy, upscale ambiance with farm-to-table American cuisine, making it a top choice for a memorable dining experience and one of the favorites of those living in Urbana IL!
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402 N Race St, Urbana, IL 61801 (217-328-3402)
What’s the Economy in Urbana Like? | Jobs in Urbana
The average salary in Urbana is $68,000 per year. There is a 5.0% state income tax rate in the city. The current Urbana unemployment rate is 4.1%.
Anyone on the hunt for jobs in Urbana IL will find the area is home to many reputable employers. Some of the best places to work in the Champaign Urbana area are:
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Busey
- Horizon Hobby
- Christie Clinic
Other opportunities can be found on Indeed jobs Urbana IL and by exploring the City of Urbana IL jobs board.
What School District Is Urbana? | Urbana IL Schools
Making up about 10.8% of the population living in Urbana IL, there are more than 4,140 kids between the ages of 0 and 18 years old. The highly respectable Urbana School District 116 and child-friendly activities around town are part of the reason why Urbana is an excellent place for families to live.
If you’re a parent searching for the top public schools in Urbana, the best programs are found at:
- M L King Jr Elementary School
- University of Illinois High School
- Urbana Middle School
- University of Illinois High School
- Urbana High School
Urbana schools have produced nine Nobel Prize winners over the years, including Robert W. Holley, Edwin G. Krebs, and Sir Anthony James Leggett.
The Urbana Free Library was established in 1874 and has been ranked in the top 1% of public libraries in the United States, the perfect place to relax and read a book when living in Urbana IL.
Is Urbana a College Town?
Urbana thrives as a vibrant college town, with its economy, culture, and community deeply influenced by the university’s presence. Located on the city boundaries, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign serves residents living in both parts of town, and if you have a college student living in Urbana IL, there’s a good chance they have this prestigious university on their list!
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Living in Urbana IL Statistics & Information
The city of Urbana spans a geographical area of about 11.58 square miles and represents the county seat of Champaign County in Illinois. Local zip codes are 61801, 61802, and 61820. The city’s main area code is 217.
The time zone in Urbana is Central Standard Time (CST), and shifts to Central Daylight Time (CDT) during daylight savings time.
The elevation in Urbana is 728 feet above sea level.
Map of Urbana, IL
Curious about living in Urbana IL? If you want to find more activities, local attractions, and other things to do in the area, make sure you check out this Urbana map.
Tips for Living in Urbana IL
- The cost of living in Urbana is lower than both the state and the national average.
- Make sure you’re prepared for Urbana’s wet winter weather with scarves, boots, hats, coats, and other warm clothing.
- Although the crime rate is higher than average, there are still safe communities where you can live in Urbana, and most people agree that they feel safe living in Urbana IL.
Moving to Urbana IL
As soon as you find enough reasons to decide on moving to Urbana, it’ll be time to start planning and preparing for your relocation.
At Federal Companies, we have the top Urbana movers who are well-trained to assist with transitions of all kinds. Give us a call today at 800-747-4100 or fill out the Request a Quote form for a free moving estimate, and let’s make living in Urbana IL happen!
