Cairo city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cairo city, Illinois has a total population of 1,699, the 544th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $35,493, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.5% is notably above the national average.
Cairo city Quick Facts
How Cairo city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cairo city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Cairo city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice city | 1,682 | $34,609 | $54,000 | 8.9% | 39.9% |
| Norris City village | 1,613 | $37,778 | $80,800 | 10.4% | 23.4% |
| Ford Heights village | 1,587 | $34,323 | $48,000 | 8.9% | 40.8% |
| Girard city | 1,740 | $40,250 | $96,300 | 8.3% | 30.3% |
| Washington Park village | 1,728 | $42,008 | $43,200 | 8.1% | 37.9% |
Population Overview
Cairo city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 1,699. It ranks as the 544th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cairo city is 43.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cairo city is $35,493. This is 57% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.5%. This is 83% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 17.5%. This is 201% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $28,200. Housing costs are 89% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Cairo city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cairo city is Black or African American, making up 67.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.9%) is well below the state average of 58.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (67.5% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.
Education
10.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cairo city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cairo city, Illinois?
Cairo city, Illinois has a population of 1,699 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cairo city, IL?
The median household income in Cairo city is $35,493, which is 55% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cairo city, IL?
The poverty rate in Cairo city is 21.5%. This means approximately 352 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cairo city, Illinois?
Cairo city's population is 26.9% White, 67.5% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cairo city, IL?
The median home value in Cairo city is $28,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Cairo city, Illinois?
10.9% of adults (25+) in Cairo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.