Fairbury, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairbury, Illinois had a total population of 3,713, the 395th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $70,962, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.1% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Fairbury Quick Facts
How Fairbury 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 | 3,683 | 3,713 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $65,215 | $70,962 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $155,900 | $162,200 | +4.0% |
How Fairbury 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+)
Fairbury Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Livingston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac | 11,294 | $61,279 | 13.1% | $116,300 |
| Chatsworth | 1,172 | $69,559 | 16.8% | $103,200 |
| Forrest | 994 | $73,426 | 10.0% | $113,000 |
| Odell | 890 | $83,558 | 9.6% | $121,000 |
| Flanagan | 849 | $62,083 | 12.8% | $108,900 |
| Cullom | 471 | $65,417 | 11.7% | $100,800 |
| Cornell | 389 | $68,750 | 22.5% | $92,200 |
| Saunemin | 352 | $56,250 | 10.8% | $94,600 |
| Long Point | 245 | $66,250 | 9.0% | $91,500 |
| Campus | 172 | $111,406 | 7.6% | $152,200 |
Cities Similar to Fairbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrison | 3,739 | $69,089 | $118,000 | 27.9% | 8.1% |
| Aledo | 3,668 | $72,292 | $147,600 | 25.7% | 12.6% |
| Red Bud | 3,782 | $71,850 | $171,000 | 24.1% | 4.9% |
| Cherry Valley | 3,749 | $74,655 | $232,800 | 30.0% | 8.3% |
| Oregon | 3,851 | $71,841 | $142,600 | 18.7% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Fairbury is a small community located in Illinois, within Livingston County. The total population is 3,713. It ranks as the 395th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairbury is 33.5 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Fairbury has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairbury is $70,962. This is 15% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.1%. This is 82% 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 0.9%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $162,200. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Fairbury is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairbury has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.7% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, Illinois?
Fairbury, Illinois has a population of 3,713 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairbury, IL?
The median household income in Fairbury is $70,962, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairbury, IL?
The poverty rate in Fairbury is 2.1%. This means approximately 77 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairbury, Illinois?
Fairbury's population is 93.7% White, 0.1% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairbury, IL?
The median home value in Fairbury is $162,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Fairbury, Illinois?
29.3% of adults (25+) in Fairbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.