Metcalf, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Metcalf, Illinois had a total population of 139, the 1284th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $54,881, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 1.7% 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 1.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 34.4% is notably above the national average.
Metcalf Quick Facts
How Metcalf 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 | 151 | 139 | -7.9% |
| Median household income | $54,405 | $54,881 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $55,000 | $55,000 | +0.0% |
How Metcalf 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+)
Metcalf Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Edgar County
Cities Similar to Metcalf
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beason | 142 | $55,208 | $104,200 | 12.9% | 0.0% |
| Mount Erie | 135 | N/A | $94,300 | 14.5% | 30.5% |
| Burtons Bridge | 134 | N/A | $244,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Westervelt | 134 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Bishop Hill | 134 | $56,429 | $102,500 | 37.0% | 9.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 139, Metcalf'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
Metcalf is a small community located in Illinois, within Edgar County. The total population is 139. It ranks as the 1284th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Metcalf is 57.8 years. This is 48% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 9.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Metcalf is $54,881. This is 34% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 34.4%. This is 489% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $55,000. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Metcalf is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Metcalf has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.2% vs 58.1%).
Education
1.7% 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 96% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Metcalf, 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 Metcalf, Illinois?
Metcalf, Illinois has a population of 139 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Metcalf, IL?
The median household income in Metcalf is $54,881, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Metcalf, IL?
The poverty rate in Metcalf is 6.5%. This means approximately 9 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Metcalf, Illinois?
Metcalf's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Metcalf, IL?
The median home value in Metcalf is $55,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is Metcalf, Illinois?
1.7% of adults (25+) in Metcalf hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.