Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Brussels’ average trip to work is 39 minutes, above both Illinois’ towns (26 minutes) and U.S. towns (25 minutes). No town among the 769 in Illinois we compare has a higher share of residents below the poverty line than Brussels. Brussels Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Brussels has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Brussels beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 228 in 1890, a peak of 283 in 1910, 116 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2014 and 3 maps from 1954 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Brussels, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
Ordered by what stands out in Brussels.
Its public schools are run by Brussels CUSD 42. Two of its 3 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Grade SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–7 | Grades K–7 | 67 | B+ |
| Brussels High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 7–12 | Grades 7–12 | 42 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 84% of U.S. communities. Since 1983, 8 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Brussels.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
The typical Brussels home is worth about $211,000, up 11.9% in a year, 29% below the Illinois typical home. 60% of Brussels households own their home, against 75% in Illinois’ towns and 73% across U.S. towns.
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Brussels has chilly winters and warm summers. The July high in Brussels is 88°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Most working residents leave Brussels for work: only 4% work in town. Brussels’ median household income is $56,000. Jobs based in Brussels fell to 61 in 2023, 43 fewer than in 2013.
| Brussels | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,000 | $83,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 4% | 8.3% | 8% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Brussels beats the Illinois average on 7 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2. 11% of adults smoke cigarettes in Brussels.
| Brussels | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 35% | 36% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 13% | 14% |
| Food insecurity (CDC PLACES) | 8.3% | 13% | 14% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 18% | 16% |
| What stands out | Brussels | IL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 4.6% | 10.3% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 8.3% | 15.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.7% | 7.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Brussels. Close and well known come first.
Big draw35 mi State parkCahokia
Big draw31 mi Stadium & arenaThe Dome at America's Center
31 mi Stadium & arenaBusch Stadium
31 mi Theme parkMid America Adventure
31 mi National ParkGateway Arch National Park2.2M visitors a year
21 mi Ancient sitePiasaCahokia: Thank You (24 Millions ) views, CC BY 2.0 · The Dome at America's Center: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0 · Busch Stadium: Lee Ann Ratledge, CC BY 4.0 · Mid America Adventure: Chris Hagerman from New Port Richey, FL, US, CC BY 2.0 · Gateway Arch National Park: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Piasa: Burfalcy, CC BY-SA 3.0
3 within 15 miles of the center of Brussels
About 14 of every 100 Brussels residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Illinois.
Village in Illinois, United States
Brussels is a village in Point Precinct, Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 116 at the 2020 census. Brussels is the headquarters location of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, which is noted for its population of bald eagles. The refuge is named after the two great rivers that flow together close to Brussels, the Illinois River and the Mississippi River.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Brussels has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
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