Chester, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Illinois had a total population of 6,797, the 290th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $80,625, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 6,830 | 6,797 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $74,673 | $80,625 | +8.0% |
| Median home value | $107,800 | $111,700 | +3.6% |
How Chester 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Randolph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | 24.4% | $111,200 |
| Red Bud | 3,782 | $71,850 | 4.9% | $171,000 |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | 22.5% | $158,500 |
| Percy | 921 | $44,015 | 15.8% | $77,200 |
| Coulterville | 796 | $48,636 | 12.1% | $82,300 |
| Evansville | 781 | $65,750 | 22.5% | $88,200 |
| Tilden | 762 | $47,857 | 28.7% | $70,300 |
| Prairie du Rocher | 454 | $66,161 | 8.2% | $88,800 |
| Ruma | 394 | $75,000 | 4.6% | $125,600 |
| Ellis Grove | 359 | $82,813 | 5.3% | $78,300 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandwich | 7,219 | $80,768 | $255,700 | 20.3% | 10.3% |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | $229,900 | 15.4% | 15.7% |
| Countryside | 6,267 | $80,968 | $324,700 | 37.0% | 10.0% |
| Robinson | 7,084 | $73,993 | $109,100 | 25.4% | 9.6% |
| North Riverside | 7,249 | $77,170 | $297,800 | 42.9% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small city located in Illinois, within Randolph County. The total population is 6,797. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $80,625. This is 3% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 83% 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 4.7%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $111,700. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Chester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.4% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
10.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 74.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, Illinois?
Chester, Illinois has a population of 6,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, IL?
The median household income in Chester is $80,625, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, IL?
The poverty rate in Chester is 21.6%. This means approximately 915 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Illinois?
Chester's population is 68.2% White, 27.4% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, IL?
The median home value in Chester is $111,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Chester, Illinois?
10.2% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.