Galena city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Galena city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 2,899. It ranks as the 433rd most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Galena city is 58.1 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.8% 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 Galena city is $55,765. This is 32% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $199,700. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 64.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Galena city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.8% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

40.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% higher 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 97.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Galena city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.