Fayette County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Fayette County is located in Illinois with a total population of 21,380. It is the 54th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fayette County is 41.7 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fayette County is $57,113. This is 30% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $114,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Fayette County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Fayette County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (88.6% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.3%.