Jackson County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jackson County is located in Illinois with a total population of 52,706. It is the 27th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jackson County is 32.9 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jackson County is $45,572. This is 44% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 86% 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 7.2%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $125,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Jackson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Jackson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%.

Education

35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% 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 92.1%. Notably, 16.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.