Clifton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton, Illinois had a total population of 1,385, the 607th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $92,344, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
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 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Clifton Quick Facts
How Clifton 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 | 1,279 | 1,385 | +8.3% |
| Median household income | $69,276 | $92,344 | +33.3% |
| Median home value | $184,100 | $205,400 | +11.6% |
How Clifton 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+)
Clifton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Iroquois County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | 23.4% | $103,700 |
| Gilman | 1,612 | $70,750 | 6.0% | $120,500 |
| Onarga | 1,430 | $78,352 | 8.6% | $99,300 |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | 19.2% | $78,000 |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | 26.8% | $74,600 |
| Ashkum | 918 | $78,365 | 5.2% | $150,600 |
| Cissna Park | 903 | $56,667 | 14.6% | $130,300 |
| Danforth | 611 | $54,625 | 26.7% | $151,200 |
| Crescent City | 456 | $58,333 | 3.5% | $116,500 |
| Buckley | 422 | $53,500 | 15.4% | $96,800 |
Cities Similar to Clifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | 1,350 | $92,083 | $192,500 | 26.7% | 5.4% |
| Gardner | 1,410 | $88,092 | $199,600 | 17.4% | 16.1% |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | $241,700 | 11.7% | 7.0% |
| Capron | 1,311 | $90,192 | $160,100 | 10.3% | 8.9% |
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | $212,200 | 23.6% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Clifton is a small community located in Illinois, within Iroquois County. The total population is 1,385. It ranks as the 607th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.0% of the population under 18, Clifton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clifton is $92,344. This is 11% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $205,400. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Clifton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Clifton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.7% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 98.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton, 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 Clifton, Illinois?
Clifton, Illinois has a population of 1,385 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton, IL?
The median household income in Clifton is $92,344, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton, IL?
The poverty rate in Clifton is 11.9%. This means approximately 165 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton, Illinois?
Clifton's population is 92.7% White, 0.0% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton, IL?
The median home value in Clifton is $205,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Clifton, Illinois?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Clifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.