Mount Sterling, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mount Sterling, Illinois had a total population of 1,980, the 505th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,087, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
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.
Mount Sterling Quick Facts
How Mount Sterling 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 | 1,949 | 1,980 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $63,922 | $59,087 | -7.6% |
| Median home value | $118,100 | $131,200 | +11.1% |
How Mount Sterling 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 Sterling Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versailles | 441 | $48,750 | 16.1% | $91,100 |
| Mound Station | 150 | $76,375 | 6.0% | $120,500 |
| Ripley | 87 | N/A | 31.0% | $43,100 |
Cities Similar to Mount Sterling
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton | 1,940 | $59,647 | $155,100 | 20.4% | 15.1% |
| Albion | 2,001 | $56,500 | $93,800 | 12.4% | 27.8% |
| New Athens | 1,933 | $56,553 | $116,300 | 17.8% | 11.5% |
| Earlville | 1,942 | $63,553 | $142,200 | 9.5% | 16.5% |
| Jonesboro | 1,870 | $58,500 | $106,400 | 29.2% | 20.9% |
Population Overview
Mount Sterling is a small community located in Illinois, within Brown County. The total population is 1,980. It ranks as the 505th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mount Sterling is 35.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mount Sterling is $59,087. This is 29% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $131,200. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Mount Sterling is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Mount Sterling has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.7% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mount Sterling, 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 Sterling, Illinois?
Mount Sterling, Illinois has a population of 1,980 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mount Sterling, IL?
The median household income in Mount Sterling is $59,087, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mount Sterling, IL?
The poverty rate in Mount Sterling is 12.3%. This means approximately 233 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mount Sterling, Illinois?
Mount Sterling's population is 95.7% White, 0.8% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mount Sterling, IL?
The median home value in Mount Sterling is $131,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Mount Sterling, Illinois?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Mount Sterling hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.