Polo city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Polo city, Illinois has a total population of 2,495, the 466th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,976, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Polo city Quick Facts
How Polo city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polo city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Polo city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilton village | 2,537 | $53,246 | $71,700 | 8.9% | 15.2% |
| Galva city | 2,543 | $55,446 | $77,800 | 23.7% | 20.9% |
| White Hall city | 2,354 | $52,685 | $72,500 | 12.9% | 18.1% |
| Rockdale village | 2,598 | $56,799 | $183,500 | 12.1% | 26.9% |
| Preston Heights CDP | 2,318 | $51,970 | $141,400 | 8.4% | 13.3% |
Population Overview
Polo city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 2,495. It ranks as the 466th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polo city is 32.2 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Polo city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polo city is $52,976. This is 35% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $108,500. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Polo city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Polo city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.8% vs 58.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polo 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Polo city, Illinois?
Polo city, Illinois has a population of 2,495 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polo city, IL?
The median household income in Polo city is $52,976, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Polo city, IL?
The poverty rate in Polo city is 21.2%. This means approximately 520 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polo city, Illinois?
Polo city's population is 97.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polo city, IL?
The median home value in Polo city is $108,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Polo city, Illinois?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Polo city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.