Bluffs, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bluffs, Illinois had a total population of 531, the 915th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $69,250, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Bluffs Quick Facts
How Bluffs 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 | 586 | 531 | -9.4% |
| Median household income | $72,917 | $69,250 | -5.0% |
| Median home value | $78,700 | $73,600 | -6.5% |
How Bluffs 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+)
Bluffs Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 1,498 | $48,250 | 21.2% | $93,900 |
| Alsey | 258 | $58,750 | 24.8% | $55,000 |
| Manchester | 197 | $81,875 | 5.1% | $90,300 |
| Glasgow | 179 | $57,083 | 2.2% | $61,000 |
| Naples | 108 | $170,350 | 4.6% | $63,400 |
| Exeter | 106 | $61,250 | 14.1% | $95,000 |
| Merritt | 56 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Riggston | 30 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Oxville | 21 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bluffs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood | 532 | $69,583 | $97,000 | 5.6% | 13.7% |
| Hoyleton | 523 | $71,094 | $100,000 | 21.1% | 15.1% |
| Como | 535 | $63,750 | $175,700 | 10.3% | 20.6% |
| Creston | 550 | $66,667 | $167,400 | 31.1% | 9.1% |
| Thayer | 531 | $62,083 | $97,100 | 10.3% | 10.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 531, Bluffs'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
Bluffs is a small community located in Illinois, within Scott County. The total population is 531. It ranks as the 915th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bluffs is 44.8 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bluffs is $69,250. This is 17% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $73,600. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Bluffs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bluffs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.4% vs 58.1%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bluffs, 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 Bluffs, Illinois?
Bluffs, Illinois has a population of 531 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bluffs, IL?
The median household income in Bluffs is $69,250, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bluffs, IL?
The poverty rate in Bluffs is 4.7%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bluffs, Illinois?
Bluffs's population is 87.4% White, 0.0% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bluffs, IL?
The median home value in Bluffs is $73,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Bluffs, Illinois?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Bluffs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.