Murphysboro, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murphysboro, Illinois had a total population of 6,735, the 291st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $44,154, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Murphysboro Quick Facts
How Murphysboro 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 | 6,804 | 6,735 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $42,367 | $44,154 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $79,600 | $85,900 | +7.9% |
How Murphysboro 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murphysboro Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Soto | 1,654 | $62,813 | 16.3% | $94,700 |
| Harrison | 830 | $77,632 | 10.6% | $176,100 |
| Elkville | 751 | $39,063 | 23.1% | $71,000 |
| Makanda | 612 | $79,000 | 8.3% | $242,600 |
| Ava | 561 | $55,368 | 7.5% | $90,500 |
| Grand Tower | 502 | $46,875 | 30.1% | $39,000 |
| Campbell Hill | 328 | $69,018 | 8.0% | $96,800 |
| Vergennes | 303 | $54,583 | 7.9% | $97,500 |
| Dowell | 299 | $55,714 | 19.5% | $50,800 |
| Gorham | 248 | $55,938 | 18.1% | $26,100 |
Cities Similar to Murphysboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carmel | 6,854 | $47,009 | $89,300 | 17.0% | 20.3% |
| West Frankfort | 7,118 | $47,898 | $81,200 | 8.9% | 29.0% |
| Calumet Park | 6,855 | $53,556 | $184,700 | 25.8% | 14.1% |
| Litchfield | 6,834 | $53,958 | $104,200 | 21.6% | 16.3% |
| Mendota | 6,994 | $51,632 | $134,100 | 22.1% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Murphysboro is a small city located in Illinois, within Jackson County. The total population is 6,735. It ranks as the 291st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murphysboro is 39.5 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.3% 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 Murphysboro is $44,154. This is 47% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $85,900. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Murphysboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murphysboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murphysboro, 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 Murphysboro, Illinois?
Murphysboro, Illinois has a population of 6,735 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murphysboro, IL?
The median household income in Murphysboro is $44,154, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murphysboro, IL?
The poverty rate in Murphysboro is 14.9%. This means approximately 966 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murphysboro, Illinois?
Murphysboro's population is 70.8% White, 15.7% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murphysboro, IL?
The median home value in Murphysboro is $85,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Murphysboro, Illinois?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Murphysboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.