Mount Olive, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Olive, Illinois had a total population of 1,872, the 522nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $55,625, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Mount Olive Quick Facts
How Mount Olive 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 | 1,979 | 1,872 | -5.4% |
| Median household income | $55,139 | $55,625 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $96,600 | $94,100 | -2.6% |
How Mount Olive 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+)
Mount Olive Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Macoupin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlinville | 5,480 | $57,708 | 20.5% | $105,700 |
| Staunton | 4,298 | $57,904 | 14.5% | $143,500 |
| Gillespie | 2,815 | $82,772 | 17.1% | $91,000 |
| Brighton | 2,306 | $80,214 | 10.1% | $145,000 |
| Girard | 1,743 | $50,300 | 31.0% | $98,100 |
| Benld | 1,495 | $47,850 | 15.4% | $82,400 |
| Bunker Hill | 1,178 | $75,917 | 10.5% | $137,500 |
| Shipman | 618 | $56,771 | 13.7% | $89,400 |
| Wilsonville | 505 | $45,417 | 12.5% | $85,000 |
| Palmyra | 486 | $44,276 | 8.0% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Mount Olive
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | 1,870 | $58,500 | $106,400 | 29.2% | 20.9% |
| New Athens | 1,933 | $56,553 | $116,300 | 17.8% | 11.5% |
| Bridgeport | 1,826 | $53,036 | $72,100 | 14.8% | 23.7% |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | $158,500 | 12.6% | 22.5% |
| Lewistown | 1,781 | $54,000 | $102,200 | 16.1% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Mount Olive is a small community located in Illinois, within Macoupin County. The total population is 1,872. It ranks as the 522nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Olive is 50.4 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Olive is $55,625. This is 33% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.8%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $94,100. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Mount Olive is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mount Olive has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.3% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Olive, 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 Mount Olive, Illinois?
Mount Olive, Illinois has a population of 1,872 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Olive, IL?
The median household income in Mount Olive is $55,625, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Olive, IL?
The poverty rate in Mount Olive is 17.8%. This means approximately 334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Olive, Illinois?
Mount Olive's population is 94.3% White, 1.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Olive, IL?
The median home value in Mount Olive is $94,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Mount Olive, Illinois?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Mount Olive hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.