Galesburg, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Galesburg, Illinois had a total population of 29,481, the 67th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,297, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Galesburg Quick Facts
How Galesburg 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 | 29,653 | 29,481 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $45,213 | $48,297 | +6.8% |
| Median home value | $89,800 | $96,400 | +7.3% |
How Galesburg 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Galesburg Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Knox County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon | 3,443 | $61,653 | 9.2% | $99,600 |
| Knoxville | 3,211 | $82,863 | 7.2% | $145,300 |
| Oak Run | 800 | $100,417 | 3.3% | $298,300 |
| Oneida | 719 | $66,791 | 3.6% | $114,100 |
| East Galesburg | 713 | $79,333 | 17.5% | $123,700 |
| Wataga | 710 | $62,917 | 9.3% | $97,600 |
| Williamsfield | 531 | $82,417 | 4.0% | $109,800 |
| Yates City | 500 | $63,750 | 6.3% | $97,100 |
| Altona | 498 | $69,375 | 7.6% | $102,000 |
| London Mills | 328 | $53,125 | 23.5% | $64,400 |
Cities Similar to Galesburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | 28,595 | $45,957 | $79,000 | 19.0% | 24.5% |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | $159,600 | 20.8% | 24.5% |
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | 20.8% | 26.9% |
| Pekin | 31,781 | $60,790 | $120,700 | 17.9% | 12.8% |
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | $104,300 | 15.6% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Galesburg is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Knox County. The total population is 29,481. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Galesburg is 40.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.6% 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 Galesburg is $48,297. This is 42% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $96,400. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Galesburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Galesburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Galesburg, 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 Galesburg, Illinois?
Galesburg, Illinois has a population of 29,481 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Galesburg, IL?
The median household income in Galesburg is $48,297, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Galesburg, IL?
The poverty rate in Galesburg is 19.1%. This means approximately 4,956 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Galesburg, Illinois?
Galesburg's population is 70.8% White, 12.8% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Galesburg, IL?
The median home value in Galesburg is $96,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Galesburg, Illinois?
19.7% of adults (25+) in Galesburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.