Gridley, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gridley, Illinois had a total population of 1,390, the 606th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,250, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
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 2.1x.
Gridley Quick Facts
How Gridley 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 | 1,339 | 1,390 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $69,688 | $67,250 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $134,600 | $141,300 | +5.0% |
How Gridley 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+)
Gridley Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | 11.0% | $203,300 |
| Normal | 53,569 | $64,785 | 21.4% | $213,600 |
| Le Roy | 3,236 | $81,875 | 2.8% | $167,600 |
| El Paso | 2,917 | $75,625 | 10.9% | $159,400 |
| Heyworth | 2,573 | $96,500 | 6.1% | $210,600 |
| Lexington | 2,126 | $99,167 | 4.2% | $172,500 |
| Hudson | 1,918 | $110,000 | 2.4% | $224,700 |
| Chenoa | 1,647 | $65,769 | 21.3% | $124,700 |
| Downs | 1,641 | $110,625 | 10.8% | $240,600 |
| Twin Grove | 1,458 | $116,250 | 4.2% | $264,800 |
Cities Similar to Gridley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd | 1,356 | $67,321 | $129,600 | 22.4% | 6.4% |
| Forreston | 1,360 | $70,676 | $129,900 | 20.6% | 5.7% |
| Mazon | 1,401 | $73,750 | $207,700 | 20.1% | 9.6% |
| New Berlin | 1,442 | $70,179 | $163,400 | 36.6% | 6.5% |
| East Dubuque | 1,470 | $67,891 | $144,000 | 23.6% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Gridley is a small community located in Illinois, within McLean County. The total population is 1,390. It ranks as the 606th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gridley is 37.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gridley is $67,250. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $141,300. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Gridley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gridley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.9% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gridley, 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 Gridley, Illinois?
Gridley, Illinois has a population of 1,390 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gridley, IL?
The median household income in Gridley is $67,250, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gridley, IL?
The poverty rate in Gridley is 5.7%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gridley, Illinois?
Gridley's population is 92.9% White, 2.3% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gridley, IL?
The median home value in Gridley is $141,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Gridley, Illinois?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Gridley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.