Grand Tower city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Grand Tower city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 551. It ranks as the 910th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Grand Tower city is 24.1 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Grand Tower city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Grand Tower city is $59,375. This is 27% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 10.6%. This is 82% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $24,500. Housing costs are 90% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.4x, Grand Tower city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Grand Tower city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.5%.

Education

2.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 93% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Grand Tower city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.