Decatur city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Decatur city, Illinois has a total population of 70,368, the 17th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,809, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Decatur city Quick Facts
How Decatur city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Decatur city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Decatur city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign city | 88,822 | $57,544 | $199,700 | 53.6% | 23.9% |
| Bloomington city | 78,703 | $75,449 | $198,800 | 48.9% | 11.2% |
| Cicero town | 83,223 | $68,548 | $236,000 | 11.0% | 13.1% |
| Skokie village | 66,427 | $93,550 | $368,600 | 50.8% | 9.6% |
| Palatine village | 66,548 | $95,950 | $347,900 | 49.8% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Decatur city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 70,368. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decatur city is 39.9 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Decatur city is $50,809. This is 38% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $97,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Decatur city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Decatur city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.9% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decatur city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Decatur city, Illinois?
Decatur city, Illinois has a population of 70,368 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decatur city, IL?
The median household income in Decatur city is $50,809, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Decatur city, IL?
The poverty rate in Decatur city is 19.1%. This means approximately 12,904 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur city, Illinois?
Decatur city's population is 65.7% White, 23.9% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decatur city, IL?
The median home value in Decatur city is $97,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Decatur city, Illinois?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Decatur city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.