Gardner, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gardner, Illinois had a total population of 1,410, the 602nd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $88,092, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.5% is notably above the national average.
Gardner Quick Facts
How Gardner 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 | 1,319 | 1,410 | +6.9% |
| Median household income | $82,125 | $88,092 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $183,300 | $199,600 | +8.9% |
How Gardner 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+)
Gardner Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Grundy County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris | 14,898 | $76,711 | 7.7% | $247,400 |
| Dwight | 3,872 | $71,184 | 11.8% | $155,600 |
| Mazon | 1,401 | $73,750 | 9.6% | $207,700 |
| South Wilmington | 600 | $86,750 | 5.7% | $174,400 |
| Carbon Hill | 441 | $103,125 | 5.9% | $238,600 |
| Verona | 272 | $45,313 | 18.0% | $118,800 |
| Kinsman | 84 | $53,750 | 11.9% | $103,100 |
| East Brooklyn | 50 | $83,750 | 16.0% | $232,100 |
Cities Similar to Gardner
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 1,385 | $92,344 | $205,400 | 25.7% | 11.9% |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | $241,700 | 11.7% | 7.0% |
| Germantown | 1,350 | $92,083 | $192,500 | 26.7% | 5.4% |
| Long Creek | 1,392 | $78,519 | $167,500 | 17.1% | 6.7% |
| Onarga | 1,430 | $78,352 | $99,300 | 8.9% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Gardner is a small community located in Illinois, within Grundy County. The total population is 1,410. It ranks as the 602nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gardner is 38.5 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gardner is $88,092. This is 6% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.1%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.5%. This is 131% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $199,600. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Gardner is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gardner is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.5%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 92.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gardner, 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 Gardner, Illinois?
Gardner, Illinois has a population of 1,410 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gardner, IL?
The median household income in Gardner is $88,092, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gardner, IL?
The poverty rate in Gardner is 16.1%. This means approximately 226 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gardner, Illinois?
Gardner's population is 82.1% White, 0.4% Black, 13.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gardner, IL?
The median home value in Gardner is $199,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Gardner, Illinois?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Gardner hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.