https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/th...UgoQRbS4AJ

24/7 Wall Street’s ranking of the 50 loneliest U.S. Cities.

From the world of it doesn't matter but isn't a plus for the UofI, ISU, UIS or SIU (or does this just mean DeKalb and NIU are too small and non-descript?).

No. 2 - Danville
• One-person households, 2022: 39.7% (12,292 households — #347 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 17.7% (#2 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 5,701, or 46.4% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $743 (#380 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 15.5%% (#382 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $51,515 (#375 of 385 metros)
•
No. 7 - Decatur
• One-person households, 2022: 36.8% (16,083 households — #298 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 16.1% (#8 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 7,064, or 43.9% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $774 (#373 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 24.6%% (#285 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $60,332 (#286 of 385 metros)
•
No. 8 - Champaign-Urbana
• One-person households, 2022: 36.1% (33,083 households — #175 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 14.9% (#22 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 8,919, or 27.0% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $959 (#261 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 46.1%% (#30 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $62,108 (#264 of 385 metros)
•
No. 14 - Bloomington
• One-person households, 2022: 35.3% (24,322 households — #220 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 14.3% (#44 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 6,752, or 27.8% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $954 (#264 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 47.5%% (#23 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $70,674 (#146 of 385 metros)
•
No. 25 - Springfield
• One-person households, 2022: 34.4% (29,940 households — #185 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 14.7% (#28 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 11,729, or 39.2% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $879 (#322 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 35.2%% (#131 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $73,918 (#119 of 385 metros)
•
No. 30 - Carbondale-Marion
• One-person households, 2022: 34.2% (19,420 households — #262 of 385 metros)
• Adults living alone out of adult civilian pop: 15.2% (#15 of 385 metros)
• 1-person household 65+ years: 7,899, or 40.7% of one-person households
• Monthly gross rent: $754 (#379 of 385 metros)
• Bachelor’s degree attainment rate: 31.2%% (#191 of 385 metros)
• Median household income: $55,289 (#341 of 385 metros)

Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

You just described everything west of Aurora and Elgin...

(04-22-2024 08:45 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

You just described everything west of Aurora and Elgin...

Yet 70% of the state's population lives north of I-80. I graduated from high school in a rural town south of I-80. So small we didn't even have a football team. One of the main reasons I went to NIU is I wanted to go to a big college and get away from there. Don't miss it one bit. The town has barely grown in the 20+ years since I left.

(04-22-2024 09:10 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:45 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

You just described everything west of Aurora and Elgin...

Yet 70% of the state's population lives north of I-80. I graduated from high school in a rural town south of I-80. So small we didn't even have a football team. One of the main reasons I went to NIU is I wanted to go to a big college and get away from there. Don't miss it one bit. The town has barely grown in the 20+ years since I left.

I'm very familiar with "south of I-80". I grew up about an hour north of Carbondale. My town has actually shrunk by a couple thousand since I was in high school.

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

Yes, a lot of Illinois is pure nothing. I’ve taken that boring drive down I-55 to Springfield several times. One time - I believe it was near the town of Shirley - there was a sign on I-55 that was supposed to list historical attractions. The sign was completely blank, and that sort of said it all. And that was the highlight of my drive to Springfield.

I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

(04-22-2024 09:38 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

Yes, a lot of Illinois is pure nothing. I’ve taken that boring drive down I-55 to Springfield several times. One time - I believe it was near the town of Shirley - there was a sign on I-55 that was supposed to list historical attractions. The sign was completely blank, and that sort of said it all. And that was the highlight of my drive to Springfield.

For being the capital of Illinois, Springfield is quite run down and depressing. I can think of a lot of other state capitals that are far more pleasant to visit. Having lived on the east coast, I highly recommend Annapolis if anyone has never been.

(04-22-2024 08:45 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

You just described everything west of Aurora and Elgin...

I would disagree. West of Aurora is growing up. Montgomery/yorkville/etc are filling in nicely. Heck even Elburn is building up. West of Plano? Sure. That’s nothingness. But I think places like Oswego are building up with cool downtowns.

(04-22-2024 09:58 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

I mean...where do you think food comes from?

(04-23-2024 06:23 AM)BigChilla Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:45 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 08:36 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  Illinois only matters north of I-80. Most of Illinois south of it is mostly rural, small towns and vast cornfields and nothing-ness.

You just described everything west of Aurora and Elgin...

I would disagree. West of Aurora is growing up. Montgomery/yorkville/etc are filling in nicely. Heck even Elburn is building up. West of Plano? Sure. That’s nothingness. But I think places like Oswego are building up with cool downtowns.

This is a prime example of splitting hairs.

(04-23-2024 07:56 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 09:58 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

I mean...where do you think food comes from?

Grocery stores? Restaurants? There are plenty of those downstate. Good ones too!

(04-23-2024 09:04 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(04-23-2024 07:56 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 09:58 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

I mean...where do you think food comes from?

Grocery stores? Restaurants? There are plenty of those downstate. Good ones too!

Uber Eats doesn't grow their own food? Who knew?

(04-23-2024 07:56 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 09:58 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

I mean...where do you think food comes from?

If watching corn and soy beans grow and the smell of cow manure excites you then have it.

(04-24-2024 04:07 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-23-2024 07:56 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-22-2024 09:58 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  I understand my comment and thoughts on much of Illinois may be offensive to some (or most?) who live or are fond of those areas but there really is a whole lot of nothing. I've driven through Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio and the same is true for much of the midwest. Very boring drives with nothing to see, don't recommend it. So it doesn't surprise me that all of the loneliest towns in Illinois are south of I-80.

I mean...where do you think food comes from?

If watching corn and soy beans grow and the smell of cow manure excites you then have it.

And don’t forget the smell of pig feces. Don’t know how anyone can stand that. Kudos to the pig farmers - and all farmers.

Illinois is just not a beautiful state. We never vacation in Illinois but take lots of trips in Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Lots to see and do in our neighboring states. But, we live here in Illinois, and it is what it is.

(04-24-2024 08:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  And don’t forget the smell of pig feces. Don’t know how anyone can stand that. Kudos to the pig farmers - and all farmers.

Illinois is just not a beautiful state. We never vacation in Illinois but take lots of trips in Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Lots to see and do in our neighboring states. But, we live here in Illinois, and it is what it is.

Since graduating I've lived on the west and east coasts. I've lived near mountains. Lived near beaches. I've lived in hot and humid weather. I've lived in 70s and perfect weather. Once you leave the midwest, or even just Illinois, you really get an appreciation for other parts of the country. You also realize every places has its negatives. Sure Florida has no state income taxes and a cheaper cost of living, but you also have to live with gators, snakes, hurricanes, and the occasional meth head human zombie running around biting people. Sure California has beautiful mountains, beaches, vineyards, and a laid back lifestyle but the cost of living is high. All that said, rural/much of Illinois is flat and boring...of course they're lonely.

(04-24-2024 08:55 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-24-2024 08:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  And don’t forget the smell of pig feces. Don’t know how anyone can stand that. Kudos to the pig farmers - and all farmers.

Illinois is just not a beautiful state. We never vacation in Illinois but take lots of trips in Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Lots to see and do in our neighboring states. But, we live here in Illinois, and it is what it is.

Since graduating I've lived on the west and east coasts. I've lived near mountains. Lived near beaches. I've lived in hot and humid weather. I've lived in 70s and perfect weather. Once you leave the midwest, or even just Illinois, you really get an appreciation for other parts of the country. You also realize every places has its negatives. Sure Florida has no state income taxes and a cheaper cost of living, but you also have to live with gators, snakes, hurricanes, and the occasional meth head human zombie running around biting people. Sure California has beautiful mountains, beaches, vineyards, and a laid back lifestyle but the cost of living is high. All that said, rural/much of Illinois is flat and boring...of course they're lonely.

Of course. All areas of the country have their issues, especially weather. I would never move to Florida, Arizona, or California for many reasons. We have often looked at other areas to move to, but the negatives dissuaded us. Plus, I guess I truly love the Midwest - particularly the other states in the Midwest.