Pros and Cons of Living in Danville

Danville's core trade-off pairs genuinely affordable housing, a real historical identity, and Illinois's retirement-income tax exemption against a real, disclosed multi-decade population decline and above-average crime rate.

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Pro: genuinely affordable housing

Danville's median sale price ($79,900, January 2026) is among the lowest in this dataset's Illinois markets -- a real, substantial affordability advantage.

Pro: a real, distinct Lincoln legal-circuit and Dick Van Dyke heritage

More than a dozen documented sites tie Danville to Abraham Lincoln's legal career, and the city is Dick Van Dyke's real, sourced hometown.

Con: a real, disclosed, decades-long above-average crime reputation

Danville has for decades been known by other Illinoisans for alarmingly high crime rates for a city of its size -- a real, sourced factor this record does not soften.

Con: a real, sourced sustained population decline

Danville's population has fallen from a 1990 peak of 35,045 to a 2026 projected 27,902, tied to 1990s-era manufacturing plant closures.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.