Metropolis, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Metropolis, Illinois had a total population of 5,864, the 308th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,399, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Metropolis Quick Facts
How Metropolis 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 | 5,898 | 5,864 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $51,548 | $50,399 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $93,700 | $86,000 | -8.2% |
How Metropolis 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+)
Metropolis Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Massac County
Cities Similar to Metropolis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | 5,803 | $50,158 | $111,700 | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| East Alton | 5,689 | $48,815 | $106,700 | 16.4% | 20.8% |
| Du Quoin | 5,726 | $54,409 | $83,100 | 11.7% | 29.6% |
| Vandalia | 5,796 | $45,469 | $98,500 | 14.0% | 22.2% |
| Peoria Heights | 5,825 | $60,099 | $117,700 | 29.2% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Metropolis is a small city located in Illinois, within Massac County. The total population is 5,864. It ranks as the 308th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Metropolis is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Metropolis is $50,399. This is 40% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $86,000. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Metropolis is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Metropolis is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
14.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Metropolis, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Metropolis, Illinois?
Metropolis, Illinois has a population of 5,864 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Metropolis, IL?
The median household income in Metropolis is $50,399, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Metropolis, IL?
The poverty rate in Metropolis is 17.6%. This means approximately 970 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Metropolis, Illinois?
Metropolis's population is 81.6% White, 8.2% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Metropolis, IL?
The median home value in Metropolis is $86,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Metropolis, Illinois?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Metropolis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.