Cortland, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cortland, Illinois had a total population of 4,564, the 348th largest town in Illinois, with a median household income of $73,971, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Cortland Quick Facts
How Cortland 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 | 4,556 | 4,564 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $82,750 | $73,971 | -10.6% |
| Median home value | $203,700 | $233,200 | +14.5% |
How Cortland 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+)
Cortland Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 40,443 | $46,481 | 24.9% | $204,700 |
| Sycamore | 18,559 | $84,120 | 8.1% | $265,700 |
| Genoa | 5,492 | $82,128 | 11.8% | $225,200 |
| Hinckley | 2,331 | $86,823 | 10.0% | $291,700 |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | 6.8% | $191,600 |
| Waterman | 1,448 | $100,139 | 5.0% | $217,300 |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | 7.0% | $241,700 |
| Malta | 1,274 | $80,625 | 24.0% | $180,300 |
| Shabbona | 572 | $63,750 | 13.5% | $186,600 |
Cities Similar to Cortland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Park | 4,482 | $67,224 | $242,100 | 11.5% | 11.7% |
| Tuscola | 4,808 | $78,179 | $154,300 | 24.5% | 7.1% |
| Rosewood Heights | 4,229 | $72,102 | $137,300 | 21.3% | 6.8% |
| Auburn | 4,306 | $81,411 | $149,600 | 27.6% | 8.1% |
| Lebanon | 4,474 | $88,750 | $170,700 | 38.7% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Cortland is a small community located in Illinois, within DeKalb County. The total population is 4,564. It ranks as the 348th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cortland is 31.5 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Cortland has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cortland is $73,971. This is 11% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $233,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cortland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.2%. The Black or African American population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cortland, 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 Cortland, Illinois?
Cortland, Illinois has a population of 4,564 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cortland, IL?
The median household income in Cortland is $73,971, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cortland, IL?
The poverty rate in Cortland is 7.0%. This means approximately 319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cortland, Illinois?
Cortland's population is 70.0% White, 5.1% Black, 17.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cortland, IL?
The median home value in Cortland is $233,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Cortland, Illinois?
26.7% of adults (25+) in Cortland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.