Payson, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Payson, Illinois had a total population of 1,100, the 674th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $60,478, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
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 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Payson Quick Facts
How Payson 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 | 1,030 | 1,100 | +6.8% |
| Median household income | $62,262 | $60,478 | -2.9% |
| Median home value | $118,000 | $132,000 | +11.9% |
How Payson 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+)
Payson Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | 16.7% | $153,200 |
| Camp Point | 1,230 | $62,188 | 14.9% | $127,800 |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | 15.7% | $111,600 |
| Ursa | 726 | $64,375 | 10.7% | $161,900 |
| Golden | 693 | $55,000 | 6.4% | $122,800 |
| Clayton | 602 | $66,136 | 12.7% | $91,500 |
| Liberty | 409 | $78,977 | 6.4% | $137,500 |
| Loraine | 341 | $58,750 | 8.8% | $83,600 |
| Lima | 224 | $74,375 | 4.9% | $88,800 |
| Coatsburg | 209 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to Payson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | 1,092 | $60,450 | $110,500 | 9.6% | 1.8% |
| Colchester | 1,128 | $63,981 | $91,700 | 14.0% | 7.8% |
| Atwood | 1,144 | $62,383 | $128,200 | 15.0% | 9.4% |
| Ramsey | 1,094 | $53,375 | $65,800 | 9.4% | 17.5% |
| East Hazel Crest | 1,068 | $54,950 | $158,300 | 14.5% | 24.3% |
Population Overview
Payson is a small community located in Illinois, within Adams County. The total population is 1,100. It ranks as the 674th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Payson is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 30.3% of the population under 18, Payson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Payson is $60,478. This is 27% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 5% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $132,000. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Payson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Payson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.3% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
17.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Payson, 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 Payson, Illinois?
Payson, Illinois has a population of 1,100 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Payson, IL?
The median household income in Payson is $60,478, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Payson, IL?
The poverty rate in Payson is 12.4%. This means approximately 137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Payson, Illinois?
Payson's population is 93.3% White, 0.0% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Payson, IL?
The median home value in Payson is $132,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Payson, Illinois?
17.9% of adults (25+) in Payson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.