Jonesboro, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jonesboro, Illinois had a total population of 1,870, the 523rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $58,500, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.9%.
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.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Jonesboro Quick Facts
How Jonesboro 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 | 1,912 | 1,870 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $58,309 | $58,500 | +0.3% |
| Median home value | $114,400 | $106,400 | -7.0% |
How Jonesboro 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+)
Jonesboro Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | 4,196 | $33,137 | 34.4% | $134,300 |
| Cobden | 1,170 | $46,458 | 28.8% | $98,300 |
| Dongola | 553 | $34,145 | 18.8% | $59,900 |
| Alto Pass | 343 | $55,556 | 7.0% | $121,300 |
| Mill Creek | 37 | $151,250 | 29.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Jonesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | $158,500 | 12.6% | 22.5% |
| Mount Olive | 1,872 | $55,625 | $94,100 | 13.2% | 17.8% |
| Thornton | 1,940 | $59,647 | $155,100 | 20.4% | 15.1% |
| New Athens | 1,933 | $56,553 | $116,300 | 17.8% | 11.5% |
| Mount Sterling | 1,980 | $59,087 | $131,200 | 21.5% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Jonesboro is a small community located in Illinois, within Union County. The total population is 1,870. It ranks as the 523rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jonesboro is 39.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jonesboro is $58,500. This is 30% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 77% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 1.3%. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $106,400. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Jonesboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jonesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, Illinois?
Jonesboro, Illinois has a population of 1,870 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jonesboro, IL?
The median household income in Jonesboro is $58,500, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jonesboro, IL?
The poverty rate in Jonesboro is 20.9%. This means approximately 390 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jonesboro, Illinois?
Jonesboro's population is 84.9% White, 1.1% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jonesboro, IL?
The median home value in Jonesboro is $106,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Jonesboro, Illinois?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Jonesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.