Brussels, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brussels, Illinois had a total population of 214, the 1187th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,875, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Brussels Quick Facts
How Brussels 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 | 136 | 214 | +57.4% |
| Median household income | $56,250 | $55,875 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $126,300 | $131,700 | +4.3% |
How Brussels 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+)
Brussels Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Calhoun County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin | 663 | $88,875 | 12.6% | $89,000 |
| Kampsville | 264 | $61,875 | 11.7% | $86,300 |
| Batchtown | 237 | $57,500 | 6.7% | $126,800 |
| Hamburg | 68 | $47,000 | 25.0% | $78,900 |
Cities Similar to Brussels
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | 215 | N/A | $90,000 | 45.7% | 20.5% |
| Ridgefield | 221 | N/A | $254,200 | 76.3% | 0.0% |
| Colp | 223 | N/A | $69,300 | 18.9% | 47.1% |
| Broughton | 206 | $54,375 | N/A | 5.7% | 22.8% |
| Milton | 217 | $50,769 | $71,300 | 5.6% | 15.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 214, Brussels'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
Brussels is a small community located in Illinois, within Calhoun County. The total population is 214. It ranks as the 1187th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brussels is 31.0 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brussels is $55,875. This is 33% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.4%. This is 276% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $131,700. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Brussels is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brussels has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 10.8%.
Education
13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% 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 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brussels, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Brussels, Illinois?
Brussels, Illinois has a population of 214 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brussels, IL?
The median household income in Brussels is $55,875, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brussels, IL?
The poverty rate in Brussels is 44.4%. This means approximately 95 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brussels, Illinois?
Brussels's population is 86.0% White, 10.8% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brussels, IL?
The median home value in Brussels is $131,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Brussels, Illinois?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Brussels hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.