Moving to Quincy: Pros, Cons & What to Know

Moving to Quincy means moving to Illinois's own historic Mississippi River 'Gem City' -- genuinely affordable housing and a real, distinct preserved-architecture identity, alongside a real, gradual population decline and real river flood risk.

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A real, distinct preserved-architecture identity

Quincy preserves more than 3,500 historic structures across four National Historic Register Districts, anchored by Villa Kathrine and the John Wood Mansion -- worth exploring before choosing a specific Quincy neighborhood.

Understand the real, gradual population decline

Quincy's population fell from 40,633 (2010) to 39,463 (2020), roughly -2.9%, continuing modestly since -- a real, honest river-city pattern distinct from a college-town's sharper decline.

Research flood risk for river-adjacent property specifically

Quincy's real, historically significant Mississippi River flood risk (the 1993 Great Flood reached 31.3 feet here) means confirming a target property's FEMA flood-zone status and separate flood-insurance cost before committing.

Key takeaways

Quincy's 'Gem City' identity includes 3,500+ preserved historic structures, Villa Kathrine, and the John Wood Mansion.
Quincy's population has declined gradually (roughly -2.9% since 2010) -- a real, honest, distinct river-city pattern.
Research flood-zone status and flood-insurance costs directly for any river-adjacent Quincy property.

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Read the full Quincy overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.

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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.