Carlinville, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlinville, Illinois had a total population of 5,480, the 321st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $57,708, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Carlinville Quick Facts
How Carlinville 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 | 5,574 | 5,480 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $52,738 | $57,708 | +9.4% |
| Median home value | $108,000 | $105,700 | -2.1% |
How Carlinville 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+)
Carlinville Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macoupin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staunton | 4,298 | $57,904 | 14.5% | $143,500 |
| Gillespie | 2,815 | $82,772 | 17.1% | $91,000 |
| Brighton | 2,306 | $80,214 | 10.1% | $145,000 |
| Mount Olive | 1,872 | $55,625 | 17.8% | $94,100 |
| Girard | 1,743 | $50,300 | 31.0% | $98,100 |
| Benld | 1,495 | $47,850 | 15.4% | $82,400 |
| Bunker Hill | 1,178 | $75,917 | 10.5% | $137,500 |
| Shipman | 618 | $56,771 | 13.7% | $89,400 |
| Wilsonville | 505 | $45,417 | 12.5% | $85,000 |
| Palmyra | 486 | $44,276 | 8.0% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Carlinville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 5,494 | $66,154 | $223,800 | 19.8% | 11.5% |
| Du Quoin | 5,726 | $54,409 | $83,100 | 11.7% | 29.6% |
| Peoria Heights | 5,825 | $60,099 | $117,700 | 29.2% | 8.2% |
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | $197,100 | 46.7% | 10.9% |
| Spring Valley | 5,476 | $70,598 | $153,300 | 16.9% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Carlinville is a small city located in Illinois, within Macoupin County. The total population is 5,480. It ranks as the 321st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlinville is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlinville is $57,708. This is 31% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 74% 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 2.4%. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $105,700. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Carlinville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carlinville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.0% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlinville, 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 Carlinville, Illinois?
Carlinville, Illinois has a population of 5,480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlinville, IL?
The median household income in Carlinville is $57,708, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlinville, IL?
The poverty rate in Carlinville is 20.5%. This means approximately 1,001 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlinville, Illinois?
Carlinville's population is 91.0% White, 3.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlinville, IL?
The median home value in Carlinville is $105,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Carlinville, Illinois?
23.4% of adults (25+) in Carlinville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.