Golconda, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 691, Golconda's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Golconda is a small community located in Illinois, within Pope County. The total population is 691. It ranks as the 824th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Golconda is 58.7 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 6.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.9% 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 Golconda is $41,875. This is 50% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 140% 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 9.7%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $69,300. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Golconda is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.4% 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 Golconda is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.

Education

17.6% 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 82.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Golconda, 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.