Charleston, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, Illinois had a total population of 17,062, the 149th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,300, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 17,212 | 17,062 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $49,057 | $49,300 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $133,700 | $137,400 | +2.8% |
How Charleston 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+)
Charleston Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Coles County
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | $97,700 | 19.5% | 21.3% |
| Marion | 16,836 | $56,912 | $158,300 | 28.5% | 13.3% |
| Bridgeview | 16,849 | $66,655 | $236,400 | 18.1% | 12.8% |
| Macomb | 14,894 | $44,411 | $103,300 | 35.4% | 25.1% |
| Cahokia Heights | 17,106 | $33,792 | $56,000 | 13.5% | 34.2% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a small city located in Illinois, within Coles County. The total population is 17,062. It ranks as the 149th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 29.6 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $49,300. This is 41% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.3%. This is 123% 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 6.1%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $137,400. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Charleston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 93.5%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Charleston, Illinois?
Charleston, Illinois has a population of 17,062 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, IL?
The median household income in Charleston is $49,300, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, IL?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 26.3%. This means approximately 3,676 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, Illinois?
Charleston's population is 82.7% White, 6.8% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, IL?
The median home value in Charleston is $137,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Charleston, Illinois?
33.3% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.