Forsyth, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forsyth, Illinois had a total population of 3,502, the 405th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $112,000, which is 34% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois.
- 59.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Forsyth Quick Facts
How Forsyth 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 | 3,656 | 3,502 | -4.2% |
| Median household income | $113,456 | $112,000 | -1.3% |
| Median home value | $289,800 | $281,000 | -3.0% |
How Forsyth 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+)
Forsyth Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | 69,815 | $51,592 | 19.4% | $99,600 |
| Mount Zion | 5,660 | $103,365 | 4.0% | $201,100 |
| Maroa | 1,714 | $72,500 | 6.8% | $126,800 |
| Harristown | 1,550 | $72,426 | 9.5% | $117,700 |
| Long Creek | 1,392 | $78,519 | 6.7% | $167,500 |
| Macon | 1,047 | $68,750 | 7.3% | $108,600 |
| Oreana | 1,037 | $89,000 | 3.0% | $137,300 |
| Warrensburg | 921 | $81,719 | 8.1% | $145,400 |
| Blue Mound | 882 | $70,329 | 8.7% | $123,100 |
| Argenta | 879 | $73,482 | 5.2% | $106,300 |
Cities Similar to Forsyth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pistakee Highlands | 3,374 | $102,986 | $216,800 | 21.1% | 7.5% |
| Hainesville | 3,524 | $129,911 | $210,500 | 35.1% | 16.1% |
| Long Lake | 3,307 | $104,621 | $220,100 | 17.5% | 7.5% |
| Rochester | 3,766 | $117,118 | $238,900 | 47.9% | 2.5% |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | $270,900 | 35.3% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Forsyth is a small community located in Illinois, within Macon County. The total population is 3,502. It ranks as the 405th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forsyth is 41.6 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 29.2% of the population under 18, Forsyth has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.2% 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 Forsyth is $112,000. This is 34% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 39% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $281,000. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Forsyth is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forsyth is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Asian residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
59.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Forsyth in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher 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 97.8%. Notably, 20.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forsyth, 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 Forsyth, Illinois?
Forsyth, Illinois has a population of 3,502 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forsyth, IL?
The median household income in Forsyth is $112,000, which is 39% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forsyth, IL?
The poverty rate in Forsyth is 11.3%. This means approximately 391 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forsyth, Illinois?
Forsyth's population is 82.0% White, 1.0% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forsyth, IL?
The median home value in Forsyth is $281,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Forsyth, Illinois?
59.3% of adults (25+) in Forsyth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.