Murphysboro city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Murphysboro city, Illinois has a total population of 6,804, the 291st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $42,367, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Murphysboro city Quick Facts
How Murphysboro city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murphysboro city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Murphysboro city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carmel city | 6,892 | $45,884 | $88,500 | 16.7% | 15.9% |
| West Frankfort city | 7,156 | $48,143 | $72,500 | 11.2% | 25.2% |
| Litchfield city | 6,814 | $54,190 | $100,500 | 24.0% | 17.0% |
| Vandalia city | 6,041 | $43,184 | $88,800 | 10.9% | 22.1% |
| Benton city | 7,076 | $51,349 | $85,100 | 18.5% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Murphysboro city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 6,804. It ranks as the 291st most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murphysboro city is 40.0 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Murphysboro city is $42,367. This is 48% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $79,600. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Murphysboro city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murphysboro city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murphysboro city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Murphysboro city, Illinois?
Murphysboro city, Illinois has a population of 6,804 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murphysboro city, IL?
The median household income in Murphysboro city is $42,367, which is 46% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Murphysboro city, IL?
The poverty rate in Murphysboro city is 16.4%. This means approximately 1,085 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murphysboro city, Illinois?
Murphysboro city's population is 70.5% White, 13.7% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murphysboro city, IL?
The median home value in Murphysboro city is $79,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Murphysboro city, Illinois?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Murphysboro city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.