Petersburg, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petersburg, Illinois had a total population of 2,341, the 476th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $56,458, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Petersburg Quick Facts
How Petersburg 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 | 2,590 | 2,341 | -9.6% |
| Median household income | $59,850 | $56,458 | -5.7% |
| Median home value | $174,800 | $177,700 | +1.7% |
How Petersburg 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+)
Petersburg Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Menard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 2,102 | $81,192 | 9.5% | $164,000 |
| Lake Petersburg | 928 | $144,375 | 2.7% | $338,700 |
| Greenview | 912 | $63,594 | 9.0% | $93,700 |
| Tallula | 494 | $69,167 | 11.7% | $94,500 |
| Oakford | 191 | $65,000 | 7.4% | $100,600 |
Cities Similar to Petersburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrionette Park | 2,354 | $56,515 | $173,400 | 25.0% | 8.0% |
| Sumner | 2,252 | $55,625 | $46,000 | 4.4% | 35.3% |
| White Hall | 2,257 | $55,054 | $63,800 | 15.1% | 17.3% |
| Tilton | 2,453 | $55,697 | $70,400 | 10.8% | 17.3% |
| Galva | 2,454 | $52,470 | $83,700 | 19.7% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Petersburg is a small community located in Illinois, within Menard County. The total population is 2,341. It ranks as the 476th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Petersburg is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Petersburg is $56,458. This is 32% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $177,700. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Petersburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.3% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
30.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 93.8%. Notably, 15.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, Illinois?
Petersburg, Illinois has a population of 2,341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petersburg, IL?
The median household income in Petersburg is $56,458, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petersburg, IL?
The poverty rate in Petersburg is 15.7%. This means approximately 364 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petersburg, Illinois?
Petersburg's population is 94.3% White, 0.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petersburg, IL?
The median home value in Petersburg is $177,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Petersburg, Illinois?
30.6% of adults (25+) in Petersburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.