The Champaign metro is home to 236,196 people (down 1.3% over five years), with a median household income of $64,558. Typical rent of $1,384/month works out to 25.7% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Champaign's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 38.9% |
| Retail trade | 9.6% |
| Professional & management | 9.1% |
| Manufacturing | 8.1% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.1% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 25.7% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Champaign market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,384/month suggests a household income around $55,000/year. The metro's median household income is $64,558.
By workforce share: Education & health care (38.9%), Retail trade (9.6%), Professional & management (9.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).