Dongola, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dongola, Illinois had a total population of 553, the 901st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $34,145, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Dongola Quick Facts
How Dongola 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 | 576 | 553 | -4.0% |
| Median household income | $35,250 | $34,145 | -3.1% |
| Median home value | $67,500 | $59,900 | -11.3% |
How Dongola 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+)
Dongola 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 |
| Cobden | 1,170 | $46,458 | 28.8% | $98,300 |
| Alto Pass | 343 | $55,556 | 7.0% | $121,300 |
| Mill Creek | 37 | $151,250 | 29.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dongola
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enfield | 546 | $37,386 | $60,400 | 6.1% | 14.4% |
| Olive Branch | 499 | N/A | $61,500 | 3.0% | 30.1% |
| Rock Island Arsenal | 470 | N/A | N/A | 23.8% | 0.0% |
| Chandlerville | 534 | $44,375 | $68,800 | 7.3% | 16.3% |
| Valier | 523 | $27,305 | $80,100 | 7.0% | 33.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 553, Dongola's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dongola is a small community located in Illinois, within Union County. The total population is 553. It ranks as the 901st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dongola is 49.7 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dongola is $34,145. This is 59% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 58% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.8%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $59,900. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Dongola is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Dongola has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dongola, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dongola, Illinois?
Dongola, Illinois has a population of 553 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dongola, IL?
The median household income in Dongola is $34,145, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dongola, IL?
The poverty rate in Dongola is 18.8%. This means approximately 98 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dongola, Illinois?
Dongola's population is 86.1% White, 0.0% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dongola, IL?
The median home value in Dongola is $59,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Dongola, Illinois?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Dongola hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.