Ashley, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ashley, Illinois had a total population of 412, the 997th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,559, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Ashley Quick Facts
How Ashley 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 | 428 | 412 | -3.7% |
| Median household income | $47,031 | $49,559 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $70,700 | $82,500 | +16.7% |
How Ashley 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+)
Ashley Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 2,940 | $63,170 | 6.8% | $156,500 |
| Okawville | 1,299 | $84,417 | 3.5% | $160,700 |
| Irvington | 774 | $80,219 | 4.7% | $91,700 |
| Hoyleton | 523 | $71,094 | 15.1% | $100,000 |
| Addieville | 294 | $99,583 | 7.8% | $156,000 |
| Oakdale | 264 | $106,364 | 4.9% | $98,300 |
| New Minden | 218 | $66,875 | 8.5% | $95,000 |
| Richview | 208 | $71,250 | 7.7% | $90,800 |
| Venedy | 161 | $86,250 | 2.5% | $126,300 |
| Radom | 146 | $55,833 | 7.5% | $105,400 |
Cities Similar to Ashley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower Hill | 422 | $53,352 | $68,300 | 4.9% | 13.0% |
| Buckley | 422 | $53,500 | $96,800 | 12.8% | 15.4% |
| Beecher City | 414 | $43,750 | $90,800 | 11.4% | 25.8% |
| Versailles | 441 | $48,750 | $91,100 | 6.1% | 16.1% |
| De Land | 448 | $50,000 | $87,000 | 5.5% | 13.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 412, Ashley'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
Ashley is a small community located in Illinois, within Washington County. The total population is 412. It ranks as the 997th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashley is 32.7 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 34.9% of the population under 18, Ashley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashley is $49,559. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 190% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 7.0%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Ashley 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
Ashley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.4% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
1.9% 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 95% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ashley, 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 Ashley, Illinois?
Ashley, Illinois has a population of 412 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ashley, IL?
The median household income in Ashley is $49,559, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ashley, IL?
The poverty rate in Ashley is 34.3%. This means approximately 137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ashley, Illinois?
Ashley's population is 87.4% White, 0.0% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ashley, IL?
The median home value in Ashley is $82,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Ashley, Illinois?
1.9% of adults (25+) in Ashley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.