Olive Branch, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olive Branch, Illinois had a total population of 499, the 936th largest community in Illinois. The poverty rate is 30.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Olive Branch Quick Facts
How Olive Branch 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 | 441 | 499 | +13.2% |
| Median home value | $58,700 | $61,500 | +4.8% |
How Olive Branch 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+)
Olive Branch Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Alexander County
Cities Similar to Olive Branch
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allendale | 499 | $60,000 | $91,000 | 9.3% | 11.3% |
| Carlock | 500 | $85,625 | $154,600 | 18.5% | 2.9% |
| Thompsonville | 500 | $46,058 | $84,500 | 12.2% | 18.0% |
| Yates City | 500 | $63,750 | $97,100 | 16.1% | 6.3% |
| Altona | 498 | $69,375 | $102,000 | 21.2% | 7.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 499, Olive Branch'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
Olive Branch is a small community located in Illinois, within Alexander County. The total population is 499. It ranks as the 936th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olive Branch is 56.2 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 30.1%. This is 155% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Olive Branch, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $61,500. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $263,300. 89.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Olive Branch has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.0% vs 58.1%).
Education
3.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 92% 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 Olive Branch, 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 Olive Branch, Illinois?
Olive Branch, Illinois has a population of 499 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olive Branch, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Olive Branch — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olive Branch, IL?
The poverty rate in Olive Branch is 30.1%. This means approximately 150 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olive Branch, Illinois?
Olive Branch's population is 96.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olive Branch, IL?
The median home value in Olive Branch is $61,500.
How educated is Olive Branch, Illinois?
3.0% of adults (25+) in Olive Branch hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.