Charleston city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Charleston city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 17,212. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Charleston city is 28.8 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 12.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Charleston city is $49,057. This is 40% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.3%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 5.9%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $133,700. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Charleston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

34.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.4%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Charleston city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.