Harvard, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harvard, Illinois had a total population of 9,598, the 229th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,617, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Harvard Quick Facts
How Harvard 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 | 9,875 | 9,598 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $71,418 | $67,617 | -5.3% |
| Median home value | $174,000 | $175,400 | +0.8% |
How Harvard 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+)
Harvard Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McHenry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake | 40,579 | $108,418 | 6.8% | $311,400 |
| Lake in the Hills | 28,800 | $117,151 | 4.1% | $321,900 |
| McHenry | 28,074 | $86,315 | 4.7% | $266,500 |
| Woodstock | 26,147 | $82,758 | 6.0% | $245,700 |
| Cary | 17,923 | $113,026 | 4.8% | $309,800 |
| Marengo | 7,040 | $73,523 | 15.7% | $229,900 |
| Johnsburg | 6,386 | $121,023 | 12.1% | $328,300 |
| Spring Grove | 5,917 | $134,210 | 1.4% | $398,400 |
| Lakewood | 4,707 | $173,625 | 3.5% | $552,600 |
| Wonder Lake | 4,292 | $94,655 | 2.9% | $252,200 |
Cities Similar to Harvard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochelle | 9,529 | $66,307 | $164,300 | 18.6% | 7.9% |
| Sauk Village | 9,678 | $69,973 | $110,800 | 20.0% | 17.6% |
| Steger | 9,418 | $66,575 | $156,700 | 17.8% | 12.6% |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | $168,900 | 30.4% | 12.3% |
| Peru | 9,775 | $74,808 | $154,300 | 23.1% | 9.0% |
Population Overview
Harvard is a small city located in Illinois, within McHenry County. The total population is 9,598. It ranks as the 229th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harvard is 28.0 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 32.9% of the population under 18, Harvard has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harvard is $67,617. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $175,400. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Harvard is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harvard is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.0%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (56.5% vs 18.8%).
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 83.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harvard, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harvard, Illinois?
Harvard, Illinois has a population of 9,598 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harvard, IL?
The median household income in Harvard is $67,617, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harvard, IL?
The poverty rate in Harvard is 11.8%. This means approximately 1,122 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harvard, Illinois?
Harvard's population is 39.0% White, 0.9% Black, 56.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harvard, IL?
The median home value in Harvard is $175,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Harvard, Illinois?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Harvard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.