Lawrence County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Lawrence County is located in Illinois with a total population of 15,137. It is the 72nd most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Lawrence County is 40.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Lawrence County is $53,438. 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 14.7%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $95,500. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Lawrence County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Lawrence County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

14.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 61% 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 85.1%.