Gibson City, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gibson City, Illinois had a total population of 3,434, the 409th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,955, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Gibson City Quick Facts
How Gibson City 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 | 3,609 | 3,434 | -4.8% |
| Median household income | $47,104 | $42,955 | -8.8% |
| Median home value | $138,400 | $153,800 | +11.1% |
How Gibson City 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+)
Gibson City Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Ford County
Cities Similar to Gibson City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston City | 3,327 | $42,465 | $88,100 | 19.2% | 17.8% |
| Fulton | 3,709 | $45,581 | $121,700 | 21.2% | 14.8% |
| Westville | 3,419 | $54,912 | $100,000 | 18.8% | 18.6% |
| South Jacksonville | 3,239 | $49,587 | $135,800 | 24.3% | 9.0% |
| Havana | 2,989 | $41,184 | $95,300 | 14.2% | 24.0% |
Population Overview
Gibson City is a small community located in Illinois, within Ford County. The total population is 3,434. It ranks as the 409th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gibson City is 44.2 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gibson City is $42,955. This is 48% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $153,800. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gibson City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gibson City, 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 Gibson City, Illinois?
Gibson City, Illinois has a population of 3,434 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gibson City, IL?
The median household income in Gibson City is $42,955, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gibson City, IL?
The poverty rate in Gibson City is 14.3%. This means approximately 472 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gibson City, Illinois?
Gibson City's population is 83.1% White, 0.0% Black, 11.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gibson City, IL?
The median home value in Gibson City is $153,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Gibson City, Illinois?
13.8% of adults (25+) in Gibson City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.