Gorham, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gorham, Illinois had a total population of 248, the 1140th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,938, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 25.2% is notably above the national average.
Gorham Quick Facts
How Gorham 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 | 186 | 248 | +33.3% |
| Median household income | $42,083 | $55,938 | +32.9% |
| Median home value | $22,500 | $26,100 | +16.0% |
How Gorham 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+)
Gorham Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murphysboro | 6,735 | $44,154 | 14.9% | $85,900 |
| De Soto | 1,654 | $62,813 | 16.3% | $94,700 |
| Harrison | 830 | $77,632 | 10.6% | $176,100 |
| Elkville | 751 | $39,063 | 23.1% | $71,000 |
| Makanda | 612 | $79,000 | 8.3% | $242,600 |
| Ava | 561 | $55,368 | 7.5% | $90,500 |
| Grand Tower | 502 | $46,875 | 30.1% | $39,000 |
| Campbell Hill | 328 | $69,018 | 8.0% | $96,800 |
| Vergennes | 303 | $54,583 | 7.9% | $97,500 |
| Dowell | 299 | $55,714 | 19.5% | $50,800 |
Cities Similar to Gorham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carman | 250 | N/A | N/A | 24.4% | 0.0% |
| Alexander | 239 | N/A | $118,200 | 18.9% | 0.0% |
| Summerfield | 248 | $51,944 | $75,700 | 9.8% | 14.9% |
| Middletown | 249 | $52,188 | $60,000 | 9.9% | 35.5% |
| Jewett | 251 | $52,708 | $57,200 | 10.2% | 28.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 248, Gorham'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
Gorham is a small community located in Illinois, within Jackson County. The total population is 248. It ranks as the 1140th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gorham is 34.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gorham is $55,938. This is 33% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 25.2%. This is 332% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $26,100. Housing costs are 90% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.5x, Gorham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gorham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.4% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
6.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 78.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gorham, 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 Gorham, Illinois?
Gorham, Illinois has a population of 248 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gorham, IL?
The median household income in Gorham is $55,938, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gorham, IL?
The poverty rate in Gorham is 18.1%. This means approximately 45 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gorham, Illinois?
Gorham's population is 96.4% White, 0.0% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gorham, IL?
The median home value in Gorham is $26,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.5x.
How educated is Gorham, Illinois?
6.6% of adults (25+) in Gorham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.