Golden, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Golden, Illinois had a total population of 693, the 823rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,000, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Golden Quick Facts
How Golden 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 | 711 | 693 | -2.5% |
| Median household income | $55,875 | $55,000 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $125,500 | $122,800 | -2.2% |
How Golden 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+)
Golden Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | 16.7% | $153,200 |
| Camp Point | 1,230 | $62,188 | 14.9% | $127,800 |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | 15.7% | $111,600 |
| Payson | 1,100 | $60,478 | 12.4% | $132,000 |
| Ursa | 726 | $64,375 | 10.7% | $161,900 |
| Clayton | 602 | $66,136 | 12.7% | $91,500 |
| Liberty | 409 | $78,977 | 6.4% | $137,500 |
| Loraine | 341 | $58,750 | 8.8% | $83,600 |
| Lima | 224 | $74,375 | 4.9% | $88,800 |
| Coatsburg | 209 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to Golden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Valley | 683 | $53,500 | $115,900 | 15.6% | 19.6% |
| Findlay | 674 | $55,417 | $88,000 | 9.9% | 20.9% |
| Pittsburg | 682 | $53,203 | $129,200 | 11.8% | 17.9% |
| North City | 715 | $53,977 | $114,100 | 12.0% | 5.5% |
| Avon | 694 | $50,000 | $62,200 | 11.6% | 23.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 693, Golden'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
Golden is a small community located in Illinois, within Adams County. The total population is 693. It ranks as the 823rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Golden is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.8% 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 Golden is $55,000. This is 34% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $122,800. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Golden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Golden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.7% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.7% vs 58.1%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Golden, 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 Golden, Illinois?
Golden, Illinois has a population of 693 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Golden, IL?
The median household income in Golden is $55,000, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Golden, IL?
The poverty rate in Golden is 6.4%. This means approximately 43 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Golden, Illinois?
Golden's population is 98.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Golden, IL?
The median home value in Golden is $122,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Golden, Illinois?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Golden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.