Knox County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Knox County is located in Illinois with a total population of 49,294. It is the 29th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Knox County is 42.4 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Knox County is $53,291. This is 35% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $104,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Knox County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Knox County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 89.3%.