Basco, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Basco, Illinois had a total population of 59, the 1388th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $40,000, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 23.5% is notably above the national average.
Basco Quick Facts
How Basco 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 | 73 | 59 | -19.2% |
| Median household income | $46,250 | $40,000 | -13.5% |
| Median home value | $38,200 | $42,500 | +11.3% |
How Basco 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+)
Basco Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 2,714 | $56,895 | 14.2% | $114,100 |
| Carthage | 2,291 | $77,004 | 6.7% | $112,900 |
| Warsaw | 1,518 | $58,750 | 11.8% | $96,100 |
| La Harpe | 1,273 | $49,205 | 12.9% | $86,400 |
| Nauvoo | 931 | $68,750 | 28.7% | $156,700 |
| Dallas City | 894 | $63,056 | 16.4% | $90,000 |
| Augusta | 669 | $42,861 | 24.5% | $83,400 |
| Bowen | 552 | $63,750 | 10.9% | $80,700 |
| West Point | 201 | $64,375 | 11.4% | $39,300 |
| Elvaston | 163 | $38,750 | 18.4% | $126,800 |
Cities Similar to Basco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailor Springs | 60 | N/A | N/A | 4.3% | 11.7% |
| Merritt | 56 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bingham | 63 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 57.1% |
| Ohlman | 59 | $46,250 | $46,200 | 7.1% | 15.3% |
| Joslin | 56 | $42,188 | $131,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 59, Basco'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
Basco is a small community located in Illinois, within Hancock County. The total population is 59. It ranks as the 1388th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Basco is 48.2 years. This is 24% 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 Basco is $40,000. This is 52% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.0%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 23.5%. This is 303% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $42,500. Housing costs are 84% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Basco is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Basco has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.3% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.3% vs 58.1%).
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Basco, 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 Basco, Illinois?
Basco, Illinois has a population of 59 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Basco, IL?
The median household income in Basco is $40,000, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Basco, IL?
The poverty rate in Basco is 17.0%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Basco, Illinois?
Basco's population is 98.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Basco, IL?
The median home value in Basco is $42,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Basco, Illinois?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Basco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.