Fairmont City, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairmont City, Illinois had a total population of 2,492, the 460th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,147, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Fairmont City Quick Facts
How Fairmont City 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 | 2,354 | 2,492 | +5.9% |
| Median household income | $43,333 | $48,147 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $65,500 | $71,200 | +8.7% |
How Fairmont City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fairmont City Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | 14.8% | $104,300 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Highland | 10,262 | $82,551 | 6.0% | $202,900 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
Cities Similar to Fairmont City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher | 2,570 | $48,247 | $66,600 | 13.9% | 20.8% |
| Preston Heights | 2,449 | $51,625 | $144,100 | 8.2% | 22.8% |
| Galva | 2,454 | $52,470 | $83,700 | 19.7% | 18.8% |
| Tilton | 2,453 | $55,697 | $70,400 | 10.8% | 17.3% |
| McLeansboro | 2,675 | $45,422 | $79,500 | 20.0% | 22.3% |
Population Overview
Fairmont City is a small community located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 2,492. It ranks as the 460th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairmont City is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairmont City is $48,147. This is 42% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 186% 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 1.7%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $71,200. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Fairmont City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairmont City is Hispanic or Latino, making up 75.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.7%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (75.4% vs 18.8%).
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 68.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairmont City, 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 Fairmont City, Illinois?
Fairmont City, Illinois has a population of 2,492 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairmont City, IL?
The median household income in Fairmont City is $48,147, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairmont City, IL?
The poverty rate in Fairmont City is 33.8%. This means approximately 839 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairmont City, Illinois?
Fairmont City's population is 16.7% White, 2.1% Black, 75.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairmont City, IL?
The median home value in Fairmont City is $71,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Fairmont City, Illinois?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Fairmont City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.