Brownstown, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brownstown, Illinois had a total population of 722, the 805th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $53,000, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 4.1% 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 1.4x.
Brownstown Quick Facts
How Brownstown 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 | 592 | 722 | +22.0% |
| Median household income | $59,688 | $53,000 | -11.2% |
| Median home value | $75,000 | $72,900 | -2.8% |
How Brownstown 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+)
Brownstown Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
Cities Similar to Brownstown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay City | 723 | $53,472 | $83,200 | 3.7% | 32.5% |
| North City | 715 | $53,977 | $114,100 | 12.0% | 5.5% |
| Saybrook | 744 | $52,721 | $98,100 | 15.8% | 15.2% |
| Ashmore | 721 | $56,615 | $91,700 | 14.4% | 16.2% |
| West Salem | 713 | $49,821 | $74,600 | 15.2% | 8.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 722, Brownstown'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
Brownstown is a small community located in Illinois, within Fayette County. The total population is 722. It ranks as the 805th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brownstown is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.7% 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 Brownstown is $53,000. This is 36% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $72,900. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Brownstown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brownstown is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
4.1% 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 89% 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 75.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brownstown, 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 Brownstown, Illinois?
Brownstown, Illinois has a population of 722 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brownstown, IL?
The median household income in Brownstown is $53,000, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brownstown, IL?
The poverty rate in Brownstown is 19.8%. This means approximately 143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brownstown, Illinois?
Brownstown's population is 83.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brownstown, IL?
The median home value in Brownstown is $72,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Brownstown, Illinois?
4.1% of adults (25+) in Brownstown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.