Galena, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Galena, Illinois had a total population of 2,931, the 432nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $58,689, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Galena Quick Facts
How Galena 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 | 2,899 | 2,931 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $55,765 | $58,689 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $199,700 | $233,200 | +16.8% |
How Galena 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+)
Galena Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jo Daviess County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | 1,873 | $46,934 | 15.6% | $93,700 |
| The Galena Territory | 1,735 | $117,548 | 2.5% | $324,700 |
| East Dubuque | 1,470 | $67,891 | 12.3% | $144,000 |
| Warren | 1,396 | $75,813 | 9.9% | $102,200 |
| Hanover | 829 | $42,250 | 21.8% | $89,500 |
| Elizabeth | 775 | $56,250 | 8.0% | $135,900 |
| Apple Canyon Lake | 741 | $115,072 | 7.7% | $329,400 |
| Scales Mound | 463 | $69,141 | 4.3% | $155,600 |
| Menominee | 345 | $118,750 | 12.2% | $257,900 |
| Apple River | 290 | $44,028 | 21.7% | $87,100 |
Cities Similar to Galena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 2,932 | $61,761 | $95,400 | 20.2% | 11.1% |
| Ingalls Park | 3,015 | $57,917 | $157,800 | 12.4% | 21.9% |
| Nashville | 2,940 | $63,170 | $156,500 | 21.1% | 6.8% |
| Georgetown | 3,069 | $58,182 | $71,800 | 14.1% | 17.3% |
| Rushville | 2,747 | $57,583 | $94,700 | 19.8% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Galena is a small community located in Illinois, within Jo Daviess County. The total population is 2,931. It ranks as the 432nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Galena is 57.0 years. This is 46% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 9.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 22.7% 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 is $58,689. This is 30% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $233,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Galena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.0% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
36.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Galena, 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 Galena, Illinois?
Galena, Illinois has a population of 2,931 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Galena, IL?
The median household income in Galena is $58,689, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Galena, IL?
The poverty rate in Galena is 6.4%. This means approximately 185 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Galena, Illinois?
Galena's population is 92.0% White, 0.7% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Galena, IL?
The median home value in Galena is $233,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Galena, Illinois?
36.3% of adults (25+) in Galena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.