Dorchester, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dorchester, Illinois had a total population of 182, the 1227th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $127,500, which is 53% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.5% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Dorchester Quick Facts
How Dorchester 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 | 185 | 182 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $121,250 | $127,500 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $133,300 | $153,800 | +15.4% |
How Dorchester 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+)
Dorchester Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macoupin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlinville | 5,480 | $57,708 | 20.5% | $105,700 |
| Staunton | 4,298 | $57,904 | 14.5% | $143,500 |
| Gillespie | 2,815 | $82,772 | 17.1% | $91,000 |
| Brighton | 2,306 | $80,214 | 10.1% | $145,000 |
| Mount Olive | 1,872 | $55,625 | 17.8% | $94,100 |
| Girard | 1,743 | $50,300 | 31.0% | $98,100 |
| Benld | 1,495 | $47,850 | 15.4% | $82,400 |
| Bunker Hill | 1,178 | $75,917 | 10.5% | $137,500 |
| Shipman | 618 | $56,771 | 13.7% | $89,400 |
| Wilsonville | 505 | $45,417 | 12.5% | $85,000 |
Cities Similar to Dorchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serena | 182 | N/A | N/A | 14.5% | 23.1% |
| LaPlace | 170 | N/A | $86,800 | 13.6% | 35.3% |
| Paloma | 161 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Campus | 172 | $111,406 | $152,200 | 11.4% | 7.6% |
| Adair | 215 | N/A | $90,000 | 45.7% | 20.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 182, Dorchester'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
Dorchester is a small community located in Illinois, within Macoupin County. The total population is 182. It ranks as the 1227th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dorchester is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 33.0% of the population under 18, Dorchester has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dorchester is $127,500. This is 53% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 58% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.5%. This is 95% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $153,800. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Dorchester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dorchester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.4% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.4% vs 58.1%).
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dorchester, 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 Dorchester, Illinois?
Dorchester, Illinois has a population of 182 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dorchester, IL?
The median household income in Dorchester is $127,500, which is 58% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dorchester, IL?
The poverty rate in Dorchester is 0.5%. This means approximately 1 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dorchester, Illinois?
Dorchester's population is 98.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dorchester, IL?
The median home value in Dorchester is $153,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Dorchester, Illinois?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Dorchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.