Alma, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alma, Illinois had a total population of 285, the 1097th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,500, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Alma Quick Facts
How Alma Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 300 | 285 | -5.0% |
| Median household income | $50,500 | $67,500 | +33.7% |
| Median home value | $43,300 | $61,700 | +42.5% |
How Alma Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alma Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 11,856 | $47,807 | 24.3% | $89,600 |
| Salem | 7,236 | $59,728 | 16.3% | $106,100 |
| Central City | 1,081 | $44,896 | 29.1% | $47,600 |
| Sandoval | 1,004 | $52,841 | 26.7% | $59,100 |
| Odin | 972 | $46,131 | 18.3% | $102,600 |
| Wamac | 804 | $36,500 | 27.7% | $20,100 |
| Kinmundy | 803 | $42,303 | 15.8% | $95,400 |
| Junction City | 638 | $56,364 | 14.7% | $83,500 |
| Farina | 570 | $46,146 | 10.7% | $83,800 |
| Iuka | 534 | $61,146 | 9.6% | $72,600 |
Cities Similar to Alma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Clare | 292 | $66,875 | $102,500 | 14.2% | 20.1% |
| Taylor Ridge | 276 | N/A | $181,100 | 26.3% | 6.5% |
| Sibley | 286 | $72,250 | $90,600 | 8.2% | 11.0% |
| Belgium | 290 | $64,773 | $76,300 | 9.2% | 16.2% |
| Dundas | 272 | N/A | $77,700 | 0.0% | 7.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 285, Alma's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Alma is a small community located in Illinois, within Marion County. The total population is 285. It ranks as the 1097th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alma is 43.7 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alma is $67,500. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $61,700. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Alma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Alma has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.1% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alma, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Alma, Illinois?
Alma, Illinois has a population of 285 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alma, IL?
The median household income in Alma is $67,500, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alma, IL?
The poverty rate in Alma is 8.1%. This means approximately 23 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alma, Illinois?
Alma's population is 95.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alma, IL?
The median home value in Alma is $61,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Alma, Illinois?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Alma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.