Coal City, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Coal City, Illinois had a total population of 5,317, the 325th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $72,857, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% — among the lowest in Illinois.
Coal City Quick Facts
How Coal City 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 | 5,145 | 5,317 | +3.3% |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $72,857 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $211,600 | $201,600 | -4.7% |
How Coal City 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+)
Coal City Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Will County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet | 150,445 | $92,201 | 11.1% | $265,800 |
| Plainfield | 46,708 | $144,000 | 4.2% | $431,400 |
| Romeoville | 41,152 | $106,325 | 5.5% | $257,100 |
| Oswego | 36,375 | $123,792 | 2.6% | $344,500 |
| New Lenox | 28,006 | $140,865 | 1.5% | $399,900 |
| Lockport | 26,409 | $111,981 | 6.8% | $316,000 |
| Crest Hill | 20,628 | $73,033 | 12.0% | $232,900 |
| Mokena | 20,021 | $123,889 | 4.5% | $401,400 |
| Shorewood | 18,343 | $122,105 | 5.2% | $337,800 |
| Channahon | 13,927 | $119,494 | 5.9% | $327,900 |
Cities Similar to Coal City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posen | 5,292 | $73,051 | $172,900 | 11.5% | 21.5% |
| Spring Valley | 5,476 | $70,598 | $153,300 | 16.9% | 7.1% |
| Colona | 5,139 | $79,700 | $147,500 | 18.9% | 3.8% |
| Pinckneyville | 5,018 | $69,583 | $133,500 | 12.6% | 9.1% |
| Wilmington | 5,494 | $66,154 | $223,800 | 19.8% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Coal City is a small city located in Illinois, within Will County. The total population is 5,317. It ranks as the 325th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Coal City is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Coal City is $72,857. This is 13% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.4%. This is 63% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $201,600. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Coal City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Coal City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.1%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Coal City, 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 Coal City, Illinois?
Coal City, Illinois has a population of 5,317 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Coal City, IL?
The median household income in Coal City is $72,857, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Coal City, IL?
The poverty rate in Coal City is 4.4%. This means approximately 231 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Coal City, Illinois?
Coal City's population is 86.2% White, 0.9% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Coal City, IL?
The median home value in Coal City is $201,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Coal City, Illinois?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Coal City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.