Carbondale, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carbondale, Illinois had a total population of 22,158, the 109th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $32,128, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 48.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Carbondale Quick Facts
How Carbondale 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 | 21,813 | 22,158 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $29,670 | $32,128 | +8.3% |
| Median home value | $124,800 | $127,900 | +2.5% |
How Carbondale 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carbondale Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Williamson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 16,836 | $56,912 | 13.3% | $158,300 |
| Herrin | 12,226 | $59,975 | 14.5% | $113,300 |
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | 10.9% | $197,100 |
| Johnston City | 3,327 | $42,465 | 17.8% | $88,100 |
| Crainville | 1,641 | $65,461 | 10.2% | $185,300 |
| Cambria | 1,300 | $57,756 | 18.5% | $143,800 |
| Energy | 1,050 | $65,357 | 15.2% | $151,800 |
| Hurst | 700 | $36,635 | 31.4% | $68,600 |
| Pittsburg | 682 | $53,203 | 17.9% | $129,200 |
| Stonefort | 422 | $56,477 | 11.6% | $65,700 |
Cities Similar to Carbondale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey | 20,230 | $42,429 | $88,100 | 10.9% | 22.6% |
| East St. Louis | 17,999 | $35,700 | $52,600 | 15.9% | 32.8% |
| Kankakee | 23,996 | $47,514 | $104,900 | 13.0% | 25.5% |
| Cahokia Heights | 17,106 | $33,792 | $56,000 | 13.5% | 34.2% |
| Freeport | 23,505 | $51,723 | $92,100 | 19.1% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Carbondale is a small city located in Illinois, within Williamson County. The total population is 22,158. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carbondale is 24.6 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carbondale is $32,128. This is 61% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.4%. This is 217% 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 10.4%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $127,900. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 26.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 61% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Carbondale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (26.3% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
48.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Carbondale in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 27% higher 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 95.3%. Notably, 23.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, Illinois?
Carbondale, Illinois has a population of 22,158 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carbondale, IL?
The median household income in Carbondale is $32,128, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carbondale, IL?
The poverty rate in Carbondale is 37.4%. This means approximately 6,916 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carbondale, Illinois?
Carbondale's population is 54.2% White, 26.3% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carbondale, IL?
The median home value in Carbondale is $127,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Carbondale, Illinois?
48.1% of adults (25+) in Carbondale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.