Downs, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Downs, Illinois had a total population of 1,641, the 550th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $110,625, which is 33% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 55.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Downs Quick Facts
How Downs 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 | 1,451 | 1,641 | +13.1% |
| Median household income | $106,809 | $110,625 | +3.6% |
| Median home value | $237,700 | $240,600 | +1.2% |
How Downs 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+)
Downs Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | 11.0% | $203,300 |
| Normal | 53,569 | $64,785 | 21.4% | $213,600 |
| Le Roy | 3,236 | $81,875 | 2.8% | $167,600 |
| El Paso | 2,917 | $75,625 | 10.9% | $159,400 |
| Heyworth | 2,573 | $96,500 | 6.1% | $210,600 |
| Lexington | 2,126 | $99,167 | 4.2% | $172,500 |
| Hudson | 1,918 | $110,000 | 2.4% | $224,700 |
| Chenoa | 1,647 | $65,769 | 21.3% | $124,700 |
| Twin Grove | 1,458 | $116,250 | 4.2% | $264,800 |
| Gridley | 1,390 | $67,250 | 5.7% | $141,300 |
Cities Similar to Downs
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Park | 1,573 | $107,045 | $288,400 | 31.8% | 7.0% |
| Teutopolis | 1,729 | $115,938 | $247,700 | 40.4% | 2.8% |
| St. Jacob | 1,759 | $112,188 | $201,000 | 34.2% | 3.0% |
| Fisher | 1,605 | $97,702 | $190,100 | 26.0% | 2.1% |
| The Galena Territory | 1,735 | $117,548 | $324,700 | 56.5% | 2.5% |
Population Overview
Downs is a small community located in Illinois, within McLean County. The total population is 1,641. It ranks as the 550th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Downs is 33.4 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 39.7% of the population under 18, Downs has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Downs is $110,625. This is 33% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 37% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.8%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $240,600. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Downs is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Downs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.9% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
55.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Downs in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher 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 98.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Downs, 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 Downs, Illinois?
Downs, Illinois has a population of 1,641 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Downs, IL?
The median household income in Downs is $110,625, which is 37% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Downs, IL?
The poverty rate in Downs is 10.8%. This means approximately 178 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Downs, Illinois?
Downs's population is 91.9% White, 0.4% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Downs, IL?
The median home value in Downs is $240,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Downs, Illinois?
55.9% of adults (25+) in Downs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.