East St. Louis, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East St. Louis, Illinois had a total population of 17,999, the 143rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $35,700, which is 57% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 57% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
East St. Louis Quick Facts
How East St. Louis 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 | 18,278 | 17,999 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $30,992 | $35,700 | +15.2% |
| Median home value | $52,700 | $52,600 | -0.2% |
How East St. Louis 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+)
East St. Louis Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in St. Clair County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | 41,370 | $63,535 | 14.6% | $141,300 |
| O'Fallon | 32,262 | $105,982 | 6.2% | $295,700 |
| Fairview Heights | 16,745 | $80,930 | 8.8% | $177,700 |
| Swansea | 14,710 | $91,587 | 8.7% | $223,600 |
| Shiloh | 14,572 | $99,573 | 6.8% | $274,000 |
| Columbia | 11,127 | $107,606 | 5.4% | $293,000 |
| Mascoutah | 8,816 | $97,375 | 9.8% | $224,900 |
| Freeburg | 4,592 | $92,065 | 6.7% | $241,200 |
| Lebanon | 4,474 | $88,750 | 14.8% | $170,700 |
| Caseyville | 4,130 | $60,669 | 14.3% | $96,800 |
Cities Similar to East St. Louis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cahokia Heights | 17,106 | $33,792 | $56,000 | 13.5% | 34.2% |
| Harvey | 20,230 | $42,429 | $88,100 | 10.9% | 22.6% |
| Charleston | 17,062 | $49,300 | $137,400 | 33.3% | 26.3% |
| Carbondale | 22,158 | $32,128 | $127,900 | 48.1% | 37.4% |
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | $97,700 | 19.5% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
East St. Louis is a small city located in Illinois, within St. Clair County. The total population is 17,999. It ranks as the 143rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in East St. Louis is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East St. Louis is $35,700. This is 57% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.8%. This is 177% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 17.3%. This is 196% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $52,600. Housing costs are 80% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, East St. Louis is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
East St. Louis has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (92.6% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East St. Louis, 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 East St. Louis, Illinois?
East St. Louis, Illinois has a population of 17,999 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East St. Louis, IL?
The median household income in East St. Louis is $35,700, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East St. Louis, IL?
The poverty rate in East St. Louis is 32.8%. This means approximately 5,841 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East St. Louis, Illinois?
East St. Louis's population is 2.2% White, 92.6% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in East St. Louis, IL?
The median home value in East St. Louis is $52,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is East St. Louis, Illinois?
15.9% of adults (25+) in East St. Louis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.