Decatur, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Decatur, Illinois had a total population of 69,815, the 17th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,592, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Decatur Quick Facts
How Decatur 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 | 70,368 | 69,815 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $50,809 | $51,592 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $97,300 | $99,600 | +2.4% |
How Decatur 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+)
Decatur Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Zion | 5,660 | $103,365 | 4.0% | $201,100 |
| Forsyth | 3,502 | $112,000 | 11.3% | $281,000 |
| Maroa | 1,714 | $72,500 | 6.8% | $126,800 |
| Harristown | 1,550 | $72,426 | 9.5% | $117,700 |
| Long Creek | 1,392 | $78,519 | 6.7% | $167,500 |
| Macon | 1,047 | $68,750 | 7.3% | $108,600 |
| Oreana | 1,037 | $89,000 | 3.0% | $137,300 |
| Warrensburg | 921 | $81,719 | 8.1% | $145,400 |
| Blue Mound | 882 | $70,329 | 8.7% | $123,100 |
| Argenta | 879 | $73,482 | 5.2% | $106,300 |
Cities Similar to Decatur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 89,996 | $56,118 | $210,900 | 52.7% | 25.9% |
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | $203,300 | 48.8% | 11.0% |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | $249,400 | 10.8% | 14.6% |
| Skokie | 66,219 | $95,337 | $387,200 | 53.8% | 9.7% |
| Palatine | 66,293 | $97,819 | $355,600 | 51.1% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Decatur is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Macon County. The total population is 69,815. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decatur is 39.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Decatur is $51,592. This is 38% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $99,600. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Decatur is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Decatur is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.3% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decatur, 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 Decatur, Illinois?
Decatur, Illinois has a population of 69,815 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decatur, IL?
The median household income in Decatur is $51,592, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Decatur, IL?
The poverty rate in Decatur is 19.4%. This means approximately 13,012 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur, Illinois?
Decatur's population is 64.9% White, 23.3% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decatur, IL?
The median home value in Decatur is $99,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Decatur, Illinois?
21.6% of adults (25+) in Decatur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.