Normal, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Normal, Illinois had a total population of 53,569, the 26th largest town in Illinois, with a median household income of $64,785, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 52.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Normal Quick Facts
How Normal 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 | 52,908 | 53,569 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $66,350 | $64,785 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $199,900 | $213,600 | +6.9% |
How Normal 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+)
Normal Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in McLean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 78,907 | $77,384 | 11.0% | $203,300 |
| Le Roy | 3,236 | $81,875 | 2.8% | $167,600 |
| El Paso | 2,917 | $75,625 | 10.9% | $159,400 |
| Heyworth | 2,573 | $96,500 | 6.1% | $210,600 |
| Lexington | 2,126 | $99,167 | 4.2% | $172,500 |
| Hudson | 1,918 | $110,000 | 2.4% | $224,700 |
| Chenoa | 1,647 | $65,769 | 21.3% | $124,700 |
| Downs | 1,641 | $110,625 | 10.8% | $240,600 |
| Twin Grove | 1,458 | $116,250 | 4.2% | $264,800 |
| Gridley | 1,390 | $67,250 | 5.7% | $141,300 |
Cities Similar to Normal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwyn | 55,595 | $78,408 | $299,800 | 24.2% | 10.9% |
| Oak Lawn | 56,861 | $83,911 | $281,200 | 31.6% | 9.6% |
| Mount Prospect | 55,472 | $101,720 | $397,400 | 48.5% | 6.6% |
| Moline | 42,197 | $67,701 | $146,300 | 28.8% | 15.5% |
| Tinley Park | 54,842 | $105,189 | $299,900 | 37.0% | 5.0% |
Population Overview
Normal is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within McLean County. The total population is 53,569. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Normal is 25.0 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Normal is $64,785. This is 22% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $213,600. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Normal is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
52.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Normal in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% higher 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 97.6%. Notably, 19.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Normal, 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 Normal, Illinois?
Normal, Illinois has a population of 53,569 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Normal, IL?
The median household income in Normal is $64,785, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Normal, IL?
The poverty rate in Normal is 21.4%. This means approximately 9,896 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Normal, Illinois?
Normal's population is 75.4% White, 10.8% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Normal, IL?
The median home value in Normal is $213,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Normal, Illinois?
52.9% of adults (25+) in Normal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.