Malta, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malta, Illinois had a total population of 1,274, the 631st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $80,625, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
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 2.2x.
Malta Quick Facts
How Malta 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 | 1,507 | 1,274 | -15.5% |
| Median household income | $83,611 | $80,625 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $178,900 | $180,300 | +0.8% |
How Malta 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Malta Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 40,443 | $46,481 | 24.9% | $204,700 |
| Sycamore | 18,559 | $84,120 | 8.1% | $265,700 |
| Genoa | 5,492 | $82,128 | 11.8% | $225,200 |
| Cortland | 4,564 | $73,971 | 7.0% | $233,200 |
| Hinckley | 2,331 | $86,823 | 10.0% | $291,700 |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | 6.8% | $191,600 |
| Waterman | 1,448 | $100,139 | 5.0% | $217,300 |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | 7.0% | $241,700 |
| Shabbona | 572 | $63,750 | 13.5% | $186,600 |
Cities Similar to Malta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebron | 1,261 | $85,375 | $208,100 | 18.5% | 6.6% |
| Okawville | 1,299 | $84,417 | $160,700 | 30.6% | 3.5% |
| Stillman Valley | 1,260 | $87,833 | $175,800 | 29.3% | 8.6% |
| Homer | 1,245 | $85,875 | $146,200 | 14.5% | 11.0% |
| Cerro Gordo | 1,349 | $77,857 | $109,200 | 19.1% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Malta is a small community located in Illinois, within DeKalb County. The total population is 1,274. It ranks as the 631st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malta is 33.2 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malta is $80,625. This is 3% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 103% 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 2.9%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $180,300. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Malta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.3%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malta, 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 Malta, Illinois?
Malta, Illinois has a population of 1,274 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malta, IL?
The median household income in Malta is $80,625, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malta, IL?
The poverty rate in Malta is 24.0%. This means approximately 306 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malta, Illinois?
Malta's population is 69.2% White, 2.5% Black, 23.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malta, IL?
The median home value in Malta is $180,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Malta, Illinois?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Malta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.