Oakland, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oakland, Illinois had a total population of 862, the 752nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,848, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Oakland Quick Facts
How Oakland 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 | 948 | 862 | -9.1% |
| Median household income | $49,571 | $50,848 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $97,200 | $98,100 | +0.9% |
How Oakland 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+)
Oakland Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Coles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 17,062 | $49,300 | 26.3% | $137,400 |
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | 21.3% | $97,700 |
| Ashmore | 721 | $56,615 | 16.2% | $91,700 |
| Humboldt | 329 | $59,063 | 11.6% | $81,500 |
| Lerna | 226 | $67,679 | 14.6% | $94,400 |
| Trilla | 122 | $123,125 | 0.0% | $95,800 |
| Janesville | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Oakland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witt | 875 | $52,500 | $50,700 | 11.1% | 22.3% |
| Meredosia | 871 | $54,485 | $65,300 | 6.2% | 18.0% |
| Ridge Farm | 827 | $50,313 | $73,200 | 7.3% | 10.2% |
| Pocahontas | 843 | $53,971 | $96,200 | 12.6% | 9.9% |
| Galatia | 913 | $48,258 | $70,200 | 13.6% | 7.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 862, Oakland's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Oakland is a small community located in Illinois, within Coles County. The total population is 862. It ranks as the 752nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oakland is 49.6 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oakland is $50,848. This is 39% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 1% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $98,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Oakland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oakland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.8% 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 (0.4%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oakland, 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 Oakland, Illinois?
Oakland, Illinois has a population of 862 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oakland, IL?
The median household income in Oakland is $50,848, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oakland, IL?
The poverty rate in Oakland is 12.0%. This means approximately 101 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oakland, Illinois?
Oakland's population is 96.8% White, 1.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oakland, IL?
The median home value in Oakland is $98,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Oakland, Illinois?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Oakland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.