Bluford, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bluford, Illinois had a total population of 483, the 946th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,583, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.4% 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 1.8x.
Bluford Quick Facts
How Bluford 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 | 569 | 483 | -15.1% |
| Median household income | $58,500 | $51,583 | -11.8% |
| Median home value | $92,200 | $94,500 | +2.5% |
How Bluford 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+)
Bluford Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | 14,090 | $55,357 | 17.3% | $99,800 |
| Ina | 1,560 | $54,000 | 19.7% | $104,200 |
| Woodlawn | 632 | $72,500 | 10.2% | $132,700 |
| Dix | 568 | $46,339 | 10.7% | $100,000 |
| Bonnie | 461 | $60,536 | 12.2% | $73,200 |
| Belle Rive | 382 | $53,281 | 8.4% | $94,600 |
| Waltonville | 294 | $63,750 | 15.0% | $111,400 |
| Opdyke | 246 | $63,750 | 2.5% | $67,800 |
| Nason | 203 | $50,052 | 29.7% | $73,600 |
Cities Similar to Bluford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wapella | 480 | $51,818 | $98,500 | 16.5% | 3.8% |
| Rock Island Arsenal | 470 | N/A | N/A | 23.8% | 0.0% |
| Olive Branch | 499 | N/A | $61,500 | 3.0% | 30.1% |
| Ipava | 487 | $48,698 | $66,300 | 16.1% | 22.6% |
| Buffalo | 482 | $56,250 | $112,100 | 25.6% | 16.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 483, Bluford'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
Bluford is a small community located in Illinois, within Jefferson County. The total population is 483. It ranks as the 946th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bluford is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bluford is $51,583. This is 38% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $94,500. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Bluford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bluford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.9% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
9.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bluford, 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 Bluford, Illinois?
Bluford, Illinois has a population of 483 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bluford, IL?
The median household income in Bluford is $51,583, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bluford, IL?
The poverty rate in Bluford is 13.9%. This means approximately 67 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bluford, Illinois?
Bluford's population is 96.9% White, 0.0% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bluford, IL?
The median home value in Bluford is $94,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Bluford, Illinois?
9.4% of adults (25+) in Bluford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.