Equality, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Equality, Illinois had a total population of 609, the 866th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,443, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.3% 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 2.0x.
Equality Quick Facts
How Equality 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 | 539 | 609 | +13.0% |
| Median household income | $42,500 | $42,443 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $84,500 | $82,900 | -1.9% |
How Equality 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+)
Equality Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Gallatin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawneetown | 1,087 | $48,194 | 20.1% | $85,700 |
| Ridgway | 779 | $46,000 | 9.7% | $75,000 |
| Omaha | 171 | $57,321 | 21.6% | $47,500 |
| Old Shawneetown | 102 | N/A | 43.1% | N/A |
| Junction | 42 | $55,625 | 9.5% | $71,700 |
Cities Similar to Equality
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin | 601 | $41,250 | $56,900 | 5.6% | 49.1% |
| Dahlgren | 595 | $44,861 | $80,800 | 5.0% | 22.0% |
| Murrayville | 617 | $46,528 | $106,800 | 7.0% | 23.2% |
| Taylor Springs | 633 | $45,000 | $67,400 | 10.9% | 19.7% |
| Keyesport | 635 | $46,500 | $72,500 | 3.6% | 26.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 609, Equality'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
Equality is a small community located in Illinois, within Gallatin County. The total population is 609. It ranks as the 866th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Equality is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Equality is $42,443. This is 49% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,900. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Equality is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Equality has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 99.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (99.3% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Equality, 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 Equality, Illinois?
Equality, Illinois has a population of 609 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Equality, IL?
The median household income in Equality is $42,443, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Equality, IL?
The poverty rate in Equality is 19.9%. This means approximately 121 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Equality, Illinois?
Equality's population is 99.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Equality, IL?
The median home value in Equality is $82,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Equality, Illinois?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Equality hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.