Arcola, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Arcola, Illinois had a total population of 2,892, the 435th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $89,827, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
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 1.4x.
Arcola Quick Facts
How Arcola 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 | 2,867 | 2,892 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $85,697 | $89,827 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $122,800 | $124,100 | +1.1% |
How Arcola 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Arcola Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Douglas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscola | 4,808 | $78,179 | 7.1% | $154,300 |
| Villa Grove | 2,349 | $70,647 | 7.2% | $125,700 |
| Arthur | 2,083 | $54,907 | 19.2% | $151,300 |
| Atwood | 1,144 | $62,383 | 9.4% | $128,200 |
| Newman | 882 | $75,373 | 10.9% | $101,900 |
| Camargo | 456 | $68,333 | 7.5% | $131,500 |
| Hindsboro | 368 | $50,938 | 6.3% | $76,300 |
| Garrett | 88 | $70,294 | 12.5% | $129,200 |
Cities Similar to Arcola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago | 2,981 | $92,614 | $194,000 | 30.0% | 6.6% |
| Ridgewood | 2,795 | $92,500 | $161,300 | 10.8% | 22.8% |
| Holiday Shores | 2,782 | $86,907 | $245,100 | 33.4% | 4.1% |
| Gillespie | 2,815 | $82,772 | $91,000 | 22.1% | 17.1% |
| East Dundee | 3,146 | $89,583 | $300,000 | 39.8% | 11.8% |
Population Overview
Arcola is a small community located in Illinois, within Douglas County. The total population is 2,892. It ranks as the 435th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Arcola is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Arcola is $89,827. This is 8% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 11% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 19% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $124,100. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Arcola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Arcola is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 44.3%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (44.3% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 84.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Arcola, 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 Arcola, Illinois?
Arcola, Illinois has a population of 2,892 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Arcola, IL?
The median household income in Arcola is $89,827, which is 11% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Arcola, IL?
The poverty rate in Arcola is 9.6%. This means approximately 260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Arcola, Illinois?
Arcola's population is 52.9% White, 1.3% Black, 44.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Arcola, IL?
The median home value in Arcola is $124,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Arcola, Illinois?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Arcola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.