Pekin city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Pekin city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 31,812. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pekin city is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pekin city is $58,355. This is 29% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 26% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.0%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $118,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Pekin city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Pekin city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (89.6% vs 58.8%). The Black or African American population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Pekin city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.