Fulton, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fulton, Illinois had a total population of 3,709, the 397th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $45,581, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Fulton Quick Facts
How Fulton 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 | 3,457 | 3,709 | +7.3% |
| Median household income | $42,452 | $45,581 | +7.4% |
| Median home value | $124,400 | $121,700 | -2.2% |
How Fulton 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+)
Fulton Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Whiteside County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | 15.3% | $108,700 |
| Rock Falls | 8,587 | $49,600 | 25.6% | $83,900 |
| Morrison | 3,739 | $69,089 | 8.1% | $118,000 |
| Prophetstown | 1,903 | $65,125 | 11.7% | $116,600 |
| Erie | 1,614 | $82,760 | 3.0% | $151,900 |
| Albany | 776 | $62,857 | 4.0% | $148,800 |
| Tampico | 565 | $56,250 | 13.0% | $86,000 |
| Como | 535 | $63,750 | 20.6% | $175,700 |
| Lyndon | 433 | $60,104 | 4.4% | $113,500 |
| Galt | 213 | $112,569 | 4.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Fulton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson City | 3,434 | $42,955 | $153,800 | 13.8% | 14.3% |
| Lawrenceville | 3,941 | $41,005 | $71,300 | 15.5% | 17.4% |
| Eldorado | 3,771 | $37,154 | $66,200 | 16.6% | 22.4% |
| Johnston City | 3,327 | $42,465 | $88,100 | 19.2% | 17.8% |
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | $111,200 | 18.6% | 24.4% |
Population Overview
Fulton is a small community located in Illinois, within Whiteside County. The total population is 3,709. It ranks as the 397th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fulton is 44.6 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fulton is $45,581. This is 45% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $121,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Fulton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fulton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.0% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fulton, 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 Fulton, Illinois?
Fulton, Illinois has a population of 3,709 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fulton, IL?
The median household income in Fulton is $45,581, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fulton, IL?
The poverty rate in Fulton is 14.8%. This means approximately 544 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fulton, Illinois?
Fulton's population is 91.0% White, 0.0% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fulton, IL?
The median home value in Fulton is $121,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Fulton, Illinois?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Fulton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.