Granite City, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Granite City, Illinois had a total population of 26,549, the 82nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,205, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Granite City Quick Facts
How Granite City 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 | 26,670 | 26,549 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $60,490 | $59,205 | -2.1% |
| Median home value | $99,800 | $104,300 | +4.5% |
How Granite City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Granite City Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Highland | 10,262 | $82,551 | 6.0% | $202,900 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
| Maryville | 8,316 | $100,670 | 2.7% | $261,800 |
Cities Similar to Granite City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Heights | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | 20.8% | 26.9% |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,700 | 21.5% | 21.0% |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | $183,800 | 15.1% | 16.0% |
| Belvidere | 24,752 | $64,528 | $158,900 | 12.8% | 14.6% |
| Melrose Park | 24,549 | $66,189 | $275,800 | 15.0% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Granite City is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 26,549. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Granite City is 40.4 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Granite City is $59,205. This is 29% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.8%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $104,300. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Granite City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Granite City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Granite City, 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 Granite City, Illinois?
Granite City, Illinois has a population of 26,549 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Granite City, IL?
The median household income in Granite City is $59,205, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Granite City, IL?
The poverty rate in Granite City is 14.8%. This means approximately 3,876 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Granite City, Illinois?
Granite City's population is 72.6% White, 8.9% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Granite City, IL?
The median home value in Granite City is $104,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Granite City, Illinois?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Granite City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.