2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Illinois — 2026

Last updated: June 4, 2026

1,583 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 61089 (Winslow, IL) — 75/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 1,583 ZIP codes with data in Illinois, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Illinois Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 1,583
Highest value 75/100
Median value 39/100
State Illinois

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 61089 Winslow IL 75/100 41/100
2 61602 Peoria IL 75/100 32/100
3 61104 Rockford IL 72/100 28/100
4 60970 Watseka IL 70/100 53/100
5 60974 Woodland IL 70/100 56/100
6 61439 Henderson IL 69/100 66/100
7 62013 Brussels IL 68/100 54/100
8 61230 Albany IL 67/100 56/100
9 61062 Pearl City IL 65/100 51/100
10 60911 Ashkum IL 64/100 64/100
11 61350 Ottawa IL 64/100 66/100
12 61484 Vermont IL 64/100 13/100
13 62050 Hillview IL 64/100 54/100
14 60954 Momence IL 63/100 58/100
15 61103 Rockford IL 63/100 33/100
16 61604 Peoria IL 63/100 22/100
17 60433 Joliet IL 62/100 44/100
18 60553 Steward IL 62/100 66/100
19 61244 East Moline IL 62/100 26/100
20 61354 Peru IL 62/100 57/100
21 61611 East Peoria IL 62/100 52/100
22 62277 Prairie Du Rocher IL 62/100 69/100
23 62624 Browning IL 62/100 59/100
24 60104 Bellwood IL 61/100 59/100
25 61344 Mineral IL 61/100 66/100
26 62361 Pearl IL 61/100 65/100
27 60931 Donovan IL 60/100 61/100
28 61523 Chillicothe IL 60/100 42/100
29 61534 Green Valley IL 60/100 61/100
30 61726 Chenoa IL 60/100 41/100
31 62031 Fieldon IL 60/100 48/100
32 62053 Kampsville IL 60/100 52/100
33 62651 Jacksonville IL 60/100 47/100
34 60432 Joliet IL 59/100 44/100
35 60557 Wedron IL 59/100 60/100
36 60901 Kankakee IL 59/100 67/100
37 61101 Rockford IL 59/100 38/100
38 61108 Rockford IL 59/100 33/100
39 62330 Dallas City IL 59/100 57/100
40 62379 Warsaw IL 59/100 48/100
41 60120 Elgin IL 58/100 31/100
42 60131 Franklin Park IL 58/100 60/100
43 60436 Joliet IL 58/100 49/100
44 60512 Bristol IL 58/100 61/100
45 61042 Harmon IL 58/100 69/100
46 61061 Oregon IL 58/100 56/100
47 61102 Rockford IL 58/100 33/100
48 61301 La Salle IL 58/100 65/100
49 61441 Ipava IL 58/100 59/100
50 61603 Peoria IL 58/100 32/100
51 62019 Donnellson IL 58/100 61/100
52 62032 Fillmore IL 58/100 71/100
53 62650 Jacksonville IL 58/100 45/100
54 60164 Melrose Park IL 57/100 59/100
55 60934 Emington IL 57/100 24/100
56 61032 Freeport IL 57/100 56/100
57 61241 Colona IL 57/100 56/100
58 61254 Geneseo IL 57/100 61/100
59 61259 Illinois City IL 57/100 60/100
60 61345 Neponset IL 57/100 61/100
61 61373 Utica IL 57/100 51/100
62 61437 Gladstone IL 57/100 55/100
63 61543 Liverpool IL 57/100 35/100
64 61562 Rome IL 57/100 40/100
65 61605 Peoria IL 57/100 37/100
66 61606 Peoria IL 57/100 37/100
67 61775 Strawn IL 57/100 59/100
68 61955 Vermilion IL 57/100 60/100
69 62027 Eldred IL 57/100 64/100
70 62627 Chandlerville IL 57/100 53/100
71 60101 Addison IL 56/100 64/100
72 60409 Calumet City IL 56/100 39/100
73 60474 South Wilmington IL 56/100 64/100
74 60953 Milford IL 56/100 62/100
75 61239 Carbon Cliff IL 56/100 59/100
76 61374 Van Orin IL 56/100 61/100
77 61469 Oquawka IL 56/100 57/100
78 61614 Peoria IL 56/100 22/100
79 62006 Batchtown IL 56/100 74/100
80 62077 Panama IL 56/100 66/100
81 62081 Rockbridge IL 56/100 66/100
82 62092 White Hall IL 56/100 61/100
83 62349 Loraine IL 56/100 29/100
84 62969 Olive Branch IL 56/100 78/100
85 60621 Chicago IL 55/100 71/100
86 60637 Chicago IL 55/100 61/100
87 60912 Beaverville IL 55/100 36/100
88 61025 East Dubuque IL 55/100 47/100
89 61252 Fulton IL 55/100 56/100
90 61449 La Fayette IL 55/100 61/100
91 61450 La Harpe IL 55/100 23/100
92 61465 New Windsor IL 55/100 57/100
93 61607 Peoria IL 55/100 32/100
94 61616 Peoria Heights IL 55/100 39/100
95 61736 Downs IL 55/100 61/100
96 61811 Alvin IL 55/100 58/100
97 62336 Ferris IL 55/100 53/100
98 62670 New Berlin IL 55/100 62/100
99 60041 Ingleside IL 54/100 66/100
100 60160 Melrose Park IL 54/100 59/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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