Girard, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Girard, Illinois had a total population of 1,743, the 541st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,300, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Girard Quick Facts
How Girard 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 | 1,740 | 1,743 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $40,250 | $50,300 | +25.0% |
| Median home value | $96,300 | $98,100 | +1.9% |
How Girard 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+)
Girard Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macoupin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlinville | 5,480 | $57,708 | 20.5% | $105,700 |
| Staunton | 4,298 | $57,904 | 14.5% | $143,500 |
| Gillespie | 2,815 | $82,772 | 17.1% | $91,000 |
| Brighton | 2,306 | $80,214 | 10.1% | $145,000 |
| Mount Olive | 1,872 | $55,625 | 17.8% | $94,100 |
| Benld | 1,495 | $47,850 | 15.4% | $82,400 |
| Bunker Hill | 1,178 | $75,917 | 10.5% | $137,500 |
| Shipman | 618 | $56,771 | 13.7% | $89,400 |
| Wilsonville | 505 | $45,417 | 12.5% | $85,000 |
| Palmyra | 486 | $44,276 | 8.0% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Girard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenup | 1,823 | $51,417 | $91,900 | 18.6% | 9.2% |
| Lewistown | 1,781 | $54,000 | $102,200 | 16.1% | 11.5% |
| Carrier Mills | 1,634 | $50,729 | $60,100 | 11.1% | 25.4% |
| Southern View | 1,751 | $57,270 | $105,300 | 20.8% | 14.9% |
| Bridgeport | 1,826 | $53,036 | $72,100 | 14.8% | 23.7% |
Population Overview
Girard is a small community located in Illinois, within Macoupin County. The total population is 1,743. It ranks as the 541st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Girard is 40.9 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Girard is $50,300. This is 40% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 162% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $98,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Girard is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Girard has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.6% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Girard, 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 Girard, Illinois?
Girard, Illinois has a population of 1,743 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Girard, IL?
The median household income in Girard is $50,300, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Girard, IL?
The poverty rate in Girard is 31.0%. This means approximately 531 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Girard, Illinois?
Girard's population is 94.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Girard, IL?
The median home value in Girard is $98,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Girard, Illinois?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Girard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.