Carmi, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carmi, Illinois had a total population of 4,845, the 338th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $47,827, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Carmi Quick Facts
How Carmi 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 | 4,879 | 4,845 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $47,051 | $47,827 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $98,700 | $114,800 | +16.3% |
How Carmi 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+)
Carmi Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in White County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norris City | 1,624 | $42,333 | 14.6% | $86,700 |
| Grayville | 1,590 | $46,319 | 29.8% | $74,200 |
| Crossville | 679 | $40,750 | 23.6% | $64,500 |
| Enfield | 546 | $37,386 | 14.4% | $60,400 |
| New Haven | 464 | $36,250 | 22.2% | $61,000 |
| Springerton | 89 | $45,938 | 10.1% | $58,800 |
| Maunie | 57 | $31,250 | 59.7% | $18,800 |
| Phillipstown | 54 | N/A | 50.0% | N/A |
| Burnt Prairie | 43 | N/A | 23.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Carmi
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creve Coeur | 4,621 | $47,993 | $85,500 | 12.6% | 17.7% |
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | $103,700 | 12.2% | 23.4% |
| Flora | 4,475 | $47,148 | $77,300 | 12.3% | 18.9% |
| Pana | 5,217 | $46,168 | $77,900 | 15.8% | 13.4% |
| Eureka | 5,007 | $56,048 | $154,300 | 32.2% | 10.8% |
Population Overview
Carmi is a small community located in Illinois, within White County. The total population is 4,845. It ranks as the 338th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carmi is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.0% 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 Carmi is $47,827. This is 43% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 85% 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 2.7%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $114,800. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Carmi is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carmi has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.2% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
15.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carmi, 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 Carmi, Illinois?
Carmi, Illinois has a population of 4,845 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carmi, IL?
The median household income in Carmi is $47,827, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carmi, IL?
The poverty rate in Carmi is 21.8%. This means approximately 985 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carmi, Illinois?
Carmi's population is 96.2% White, 0.8% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carmi, IL?
The median home value in Carmi is $114,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Carmi, Illinois?
15.8% of adults (25+) in Carmi hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.