Quincy
RANK #11 / 996 NAT · #1 / 28 IL · POP 65,583
1YR FORECAST: +4.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +45%
Adams County, Illinois, situated on the western edge of the state along the Mississippi River, is often recognized for its county seat, Quincy, known as the "Gem City." Quincy features a historic downtown district with Victorian architecture and serves as the economic and cultural hub of West-Central Illinois. The county offers a blend of rolling hills and farmland, with outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Siloam Springs State Park, which provides wooded terrain, a lake, and facilities for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. Commute options within the county primarily involve personal vehicles, though Quincy Transit Lines offers fixed-route bus services within Quincy and some surrounding areas.
Life in Adams County offers a community-focused atmosphere, with residents often citing family, good neighbors, and strong schools as reasons they enjoy living there. Public schools in Adams County are generally rated above average. The economy is diverse, with recent growth seen across various industries, including retail, professional services, hospitality, and technology. This expansion has created new jobs and opportunities for residents. The county's agricultural heritage also continues to attract visitors through farm markets and festivals.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Prairie Mills Wind Project
Acciona (originally), Global Winds Harvest (current)
|
$300M | Operating |
|
Gem City Solar
Novi Energy
|
$175M | Planned |
|
East Quincy Battery Project
Cleanview (developer not specified)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Quincy Riverfront Master Plan
City of Quincy
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Adams County ranks #11 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 99/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $63,767 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Adams County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $151,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $782/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Adams County are both close to flat — population -0.5% YoY and jobs -0.4%. Home values shifted +6.8% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.41% of Adams County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.
Home values climbed +6.8% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Adams County is now valued at $151,300. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.