Canton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Canton, Illinois had a total population of 13,144, the 186th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $53,254, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
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.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Canton Quick Facts
How Canton 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 | 13,408 | 13,144 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $54,881 | $53,254 | -3.0% |
| Median home value | $106,900 | $107,100 | +0.2% |
How Canton 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+)
Canton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Fulton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewistown | 1,781 | $54,000 | 11.5% | $102,200 |
| Cuba | 1,004 | $42,375 | 22.7% | $63,900 |
| Astoria | 984 | $50,536 | 15.2% | $67,600 |
| Vermont | 698 | $48,846 | 19.6% | $57,000 |
| Avon | 694 | $50,000 | 23.1% | $62,200 |
| Ipava | 487 | $48,698 | 22.6% | $66,300 |
| St. David | 383 | $54,583 | 16.1% | $65,400 |
| Fairview | 324 | $58,125 | 9.6% | $91,400 |
| Dunfermline | 314 | $70,833 | 11.8% | $119,300 |
| Table Grove | 306 | $59,000 | 17.3% | $75,500 |
Cities Similar to Canton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 13,281 | $57,340 | $124,300 | 20.3% | 17.0% |
| Mount Vernon | 14,090 | $55,357 | $99,800 | 18.5% | 17.3% |
| Justice | 12,324 | $57,170 | $238,400 | 21.0% | 19.4% |
| Rantoul | 12,421 | $48,691 | $118,200 | 12.4% | 16.9% |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | $94,700 | 12.9% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Canton is a small city located in Illinois, within Fulton County. The total population is 13,144. It ranks as the 186th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Canton is 45.9 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 13.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Canton is $53,254. 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 15.2%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $107,100. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Canton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Canton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Canton, 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 Canton, Illinois?
Canton, Illinois has a population of 13,144 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Canton, IL?
The median household income in Canton is $53,254, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Canton, IL?
The poverty rate in Canton is 15.2%. This means approximately 1,707 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Canton, Illinois?
Canton's population is 85.2% White, 6.6% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Canton, IL?
The median home value in Canton is $107,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Canton, Illinois?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Canton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.