Beardstown, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Beardstown, Illinois had a total population of 6,169, the 301st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $60,587, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
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.
Beardstown Quick Facts
How Beardstown 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 | 6,047 | 6,169 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $58,765 | $60,587 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $80,800 | $82,100 | +1.6% |
How Beardstown 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Beardstown Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Cass County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1,543 | $59,375 | 12.8% | $93,100 |
| Ashland | 999 | $68,060 | 4.9% | $98,500 |
| Chandlerville | 534 | $44,375 | 16.3% | $68,800 |
| Arenzville | 342 | $80,750 | 5.3% | $104,700 |
Cities Similar to Beardstown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontoon Beach | 6,025 | $62,861 | $145,100 | 15.5% | 21.7% |
| Peoria Heights | 5,825 | $60,099 | $117,700 | 29.2% | 8.2% |
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | $197,100 | 46.7% | 10.9% |
| Chillicothe | 5,900 | $66,132 | $132,900 | 26.4% | 3.7% |
| Du Quoin | 5,726 | $54,409 | $83,100 | 11.7% | 29.6% |
Population Overview
Beardstown is a small city located in Illinois, within Cass County. The total population is 6,169. It ranks as the 301st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Beardstown is 32.7 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Beardstown is $60,587. This is 27% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,100. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Beardstown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Beardstown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 40.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (40.4% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
16.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 78.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Beardstown, 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 Beardstown, Illinois?
Beardstown, Illinois has a population of 6,169 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Beardstown, IL?
The median household income in Beardstown is $60,587, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Beardstown, IL?
The poverty rate in Beardstown is 13.7%. This means approximately 834 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Beardstown, Illinois?
Beardstown's population is 47.4% White, 7.4% Black, 40.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Beardstown, IL?
The median home value in Beardstown is $82,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Beardstown, Illinois?
16.8% of adults (25+) in Beardstown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.