Perry County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Perry County is located in Illinois with a total population of 20,810. It is the 57th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Perry County is 42.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Perry County is $59,286. This is 27% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $105,200. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Perry County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Perry County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 8.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

12.3% 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 67% 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 85.4%.