Colchester, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Colchester, Illinois had a total population of 1,128, the 669th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $63,981, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
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.
Colchester Quick Facts
How Colchester 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 | 1,057 | 1,128 | +6.7% |
| Median household income | $62,500 | $63,981 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $86,500 | $91,700 | +6.0% |
How Colchester 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+)
Colchester Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McDonough County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb | 14,894 | $44,411 | 25.1% | $103,300 |
| Bushnell | 2,677 | $67,518 | 9.8% | $71,900 |
| Blandinsville | 666 | $52,375 | 7.9% | $68,800 |
| Industry | 569 | $51,250 | 18.8% | $85,300 |
| Plymouth | 456 | $41,071 | 24.6% | $56,900 |
| Good Hope | 438 | $73,636 | 4.8% | $97,000 |
| Prairie City | 378 | $60,694 | 11.9% | $91,500 |
| Adair | 215 | N/A | 20.5% | $90,000 |
| Bardolph | 204 | $28,750 | 25.5% | $49,300 |
| Tennessee | 160 | $77,500 | 6.4% | $72,200 |
Cities Similar to Colchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atwood | 1,144 | $62,383 | $128,200 | 15.0% | 9.4% |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | $111,600 | 12.9% | 15.7% |
| Payson | 1,100 | $60,478 | $132,000 | 17.9% | 12.4% |
| Mitchell | 1,092 | $60,450 | $110,500 | 9.6% | 1.8% |
| Martinsville | 1,187 | $61,833 | $69,100 | 21.9% | 23.4% |
Population Overview
Colchester is a small community located in Illinois, within McDonough County. The total population is 1,128. It ranks as the 669th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Colchester is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Colchester is $63,981. This is 23% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $91,700. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Colchester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Colchester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.6% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Colchester, 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 Colchester, Illinois?
Colchester, Illinois has a population of 1,128 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Colchester, IL?
The median household income in Colchester is $63,981, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Colchester, IL?
The poverty rate in Colchester is 7.8%. This means approximately 88 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Colchester, Illinois?
Colchester's population is 94.6% White, 0.0% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Colchester, IL?
The median home value in Colchester is $91,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Colchester, Illinois?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Colchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.