Franklin County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Franklin County is located in Illinois with a total population of 37,541. It is the 35th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Franklin County is 43.4 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Franklin County is $53,471. This is 35% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $87,700. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Franklin County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Franklin County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.5% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 89.2%.