Cobden, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cobden, Illinois had a total population of 1,170, the 658th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $46,458, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Cobden Quick Facts
How Cobden 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 | 1,064 | 1,170 | +10.0% |
| Median household income | $42,250 | $46,458 | +10.0% |
| Median home value | $106,400 | $98,300 | -7.6% |
How Cobden 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+)
Cobden Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | 4,196 | $33,137 | 34.4% | $134,300 |
| Jonesboro | 1,870 | $58,500 | 20.9% | $106,400 |
| Dongola | 553 | $34,145 | 18.8% | $59,900 |
| Alto Pass | 343 | $55,556 | 7.0% | $121,300 |
| Mill Creek | 37 | $151,250 | 29.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cobden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany | 1,176 | $44,583 | $106,200 | 22.1% | 12.3% |
| Louisville | 1,163 | $43,750 | $87,100 | 14.4% | 30.6% |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | $78,000 | 7.9% | 19.2% |
| St. Elmo | 1,257 | $45,294 | $82,600 | 6.2% | 27.8% |
| Grandview | 1,243 | $48,819 | $71,500 | 11.8% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
Cobden is a small community located in Illinois, within Union County. The total population is 1,170. It ranks as the 658th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cobden is 46.8 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cobden is $46,458. This is 44% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.8%. This is 144% 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 4.0%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $98,300. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Cobden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cobden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.5% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
20.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cobden, 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 Cobden, Illinois?
Cobden, Illinois has a population of 1,170 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cobden, IL?
The median household income in Cobden is $46,458, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cobden, IL?
The poverty rate in Cobden is 28.8%. This means approximately 323 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cobden, Illinois?
Cobden's population is 63.5% White, 1.5% Black, 31.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cobden, IL?
The median home value in Cobden is $98,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Cobden, Illinois?
20.5% of adults (25+) in Cobden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.