Alexander County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Alexander County is located in Illinois with a total population of 5,042. It is the 97th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Alexander County is 45.8 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Alexander County is $43,523. This is 47% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.4%. This is 63% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $58,700. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Alexander County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Alexander County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 31.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (31.9% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

12.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.7%.