Joy, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Joy, Illinois had a total population of 387, the 1009th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $56,250, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Joy Quick Facts
How Joy 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 | 377 | 387 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $64,583 | $56,250 | -12.9% |
| Median home value | $82,300 | $76,100 | -7.5% |
How Joy 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+)
Joy Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aledo | 3,668 | $72,292 | 12.6% | $147,600 |
| Viola | 899 | $72,500 | 9.3% | $120,000 |
| Windsor | 704 | $59,333 | 13.7% | $109,800 |
| Sherrard | 691 | $98,750 | 9.3% | $150,200 |
| Matherville | 657 | $86,500 | 7.6% | $134,800 |
| New Boston | 648 | $60,662 | 16.4% | $95,400 |
| Keithsburg | 490 | $44,625 | 17.1% | $65,900 |
| Seaton | 228 | $60,625 | 9.2% | $109,200 |
| North Henderson | 191 | $74,231 | 0.0% | $66,700 |
| Preemption | 127 | $86,406 | 0.0% | $110,900 |
Cities Similar to Joy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. David | 383 | $54,583 | $65,400 | 14.3% | 16.1% |
| Little York | 379 | $54,545 | $81,200 | 20.1% | 4.8% |
| Belle Rive | 382 | $53,281 | $94,600 | 12.1% | 8.4% |
| Varna | 387 | $62,639 | $89,300 | 8.0% | 20.2% |
| Prairie City | 378 | $60,694 | $91,500 | 11.7% | 11.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 387, Joy's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Joy is a small community located in Illinois, within Mercer County. The total population is 387. It ranks as the 1009th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Joy is 33.0 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Joy is $56,250. This is 33% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $76,100. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Joy is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Joy has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.5% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Joy, 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 Joy, Illinois?
Joy, Illinois has a population of 387 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Joy, IL?
The median household income in Joy is $56,250, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Joy, IL?
The poverty rate in Joy is 12.3%. This means approximately 47 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Joy, Illinois?
Joy's population is 91.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Joy, IL?
The median home value in Joy is $76,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Joy, Illinois?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Joy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.