Olney, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Olney, Illinois had a total population of 8,577, the 254th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $59,980, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Olney Quick Facts
How Olney 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 | 8,864 | 8,577 | -3.2% |
| Median household income | $57,997 | $59,980 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $96,900 | $99,800 | +3.0% |
How Olney 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+)
Olney Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noble | 649 | $57,143 | 16.6% | $58,500 |
| Dundas | 272 | N/A | 7.0% | $77,700 |
| Parkersburg | 237 | $42,917 | 19.1% | $54,000 |
| Calhoun | 227 | $76,250 | 5.8% | $53,400 |
| Claremont | 195 | $36,591 | 60.5% | $50,000 |
Cities Similar to Olney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth | 8,581 | $61,138 | $86,800 | 18.3% | 17.7% |
| Princeton | 7,975 | $61,946 | $134,700 | 26.3% | 12.7% |
| Paris | 8,276 | $53,927 | $75,700 | 16.8% | 12.5% |
| Park City | 7,827 | $60,171 | $57,400 | 18.0% | 9.6% |
| Silvis | 7,955 | $62,375 | $161,600 | 16.3% | 15.4% |
Population Overview
Olney is a small city located in Illinois, within Richland County. The total population is 8,577. It ranks as the 254th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Olney is 41.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.8% 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 Olney is $59,980. This is 28% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $99,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Olney is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Olney has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.7% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
21.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Olney, 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 Olney, Illinois?
Olney, Illinois has a population of 8,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Olney, IL?
The median household income in Olney is $59,980, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Olney, IL?
The poverty rate in Olney is 14.2%. This means approximately 1,183 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Olney, Illinois?
Olney's population is 91.7% White, 0.5% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Olney, IL?
The median home value in Olney is $99,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Olney, Illinois?
21.2% of adults (25+) in Olney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.