Cairo, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cairo, Illinois had a total population of 1,682, the 547th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $41,912, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% 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 14.6% is notably above the national average.
Cairo Quick Facts
How Cairo 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 | 1,699 | 1,682 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $35,493 | $41,912 | +18.1% |
| Median home value | $28,200 | $32,000 | +13.5% |
How Cairo 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+)
Cairo Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Alexander County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamms | 589 | $50,046 | 17.1% | $55,700 |
| Olive Branch | 499 | N/A | 30.1% | $61,500 |
| Thebes | 353 | $40,917 | 32.3% | N/A |
| East Cape Girardeau | 283 | $42,188 | 29.0% | $62,500 |
| McClure | 239 | $75,385 | 12.2% | $56,700 |
| Unity | 77 | N/A | 5.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cairo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norris City | 1,624 | $42,333 | $86,700 | 11.4% | 14.6% |
| Washington Park | 1,701 | $38,750 | $37,500 | 5.0% | 35.2% |
| Grayville | 1,590 | $46,319 | $74,200 | 12.7% | 29.8% |
| Vienna | 1,873 | $40,750 | $81,300 | 17.0% | 33.6% |
| Carrier Mills | 1,634 | $50,729 | $60,100 | 11.1% | 25.4% |
Population Overview
Cairo is a small community located in Illinois, within Alexander County. The total population is 1,682. It ranks as the 547th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cairo is 43.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cairo is $41,912. This is 50% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.9%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 14.6%. This is 151% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $32,000. Housing costs are 88% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.8x, Cairo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cairo is Black or African American, making up 75.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 20.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.6%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (75.7% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 82.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cairo, 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 Cairo, Illinois?
Cairo, Illinois has a population of 1,682 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cairo, IL?
The median household income in Cairo is $41,912, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cairo, IL?
The poverty rate in Cairo is 18.9%. This means approximately 308 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cairo, Illinois?
Cairo's population is 20.6% White, 75.7% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cairo, IL?
The median home value in Cairo is $32,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.8x.
How educated is Cairo, Illinois?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Cairo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.