Champaign, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Champaign, Illinois had a total population of 89,996, the 9th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $56,118, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 52.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Champaign Quick Facts
How Champaign 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 | 88,822 | 89,996 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $57,544 | $56,118 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $199,700 | $210,900 | +5.6% |
How Champaign 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+)
Champaign Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Champaign County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana | 39,341 | $45,346 | 28.0% | $184,900 |
| Rantoul | 12,421 | $48,691 | 16.9% | $118,200 |
| Mahomet | 10,049 | $118,586 | 3.8% | $299,100 |
| Savoy | 8,968 | $91,966 | 7.9% | $320,300 |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | 4.1% | $270,900 |
| Tolono | 3,566 | $69,653 | 4.6% | $208,600 |
| Lake of the Woods | 2,091 | $61,625 | 4.7% | $193,500 |
| Fisher | 1,605 | $97,702 | 2.1% | $190,100 |
| Philo | 1,487 | $105,625 | 10.3% | $205,400 |
| Homer | 1,245 | $85,875 | 11.0% | $146,200 |
Cities Similar to Champaign
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | $190,900 | 20.9% | 15.3% |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | $249,400 | 10.8% | 14.6% |
| Peoria | 112,169 | $59,410 | $156,200 | 37.6% | 21.0% |
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | $203,300 | 48.8% | 11.0% |
| Decatur | 69,815 | $51,592 | $99,600 | 21.6% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Champaign is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Champaign County. The total population is 89,996. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Champaign is 26.6 years. This is 32% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Champaign is $56,118. This is 33% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 119% 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 4.8%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $210,900. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 43.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Champaign is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.8% vs 5.9%).
Education
52.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Champaign in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 39% 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 94.9%. Notably, 30.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Champaign, 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 Champaign, Illinois?
Champaign, Illinois has a population of 89,996 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Champaign, IL?
The median household income in Champaign is $56,118, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Champaign, IL?
The poverty rate in Champaign is 25.9%. This means approximately 21,104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Champaign, Illinois?
Champaign's population is 54.5% White, 17.2% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Champaign, IL?
The median home value in Champaign is $210,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Champaign, Illinois?
52.7% of adults (25+) in Champaign hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.