Pontiac, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pontiac, Illinois had a total population of 11,294, the 205th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $61,279, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.1%.
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 1.9x.
Pontiac Quick Facts
How Pontiac 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 | 11,483 | 11,294 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $59,579 | $61,279 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $110,200 | $116,300 | +5.5% |
How Pontiac 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+)
Pontiac Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Livingston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbury | 3,713 | $70,962 | 2.1% | $162,200 |
| Chatsworth | 1,172 | $69,559 | 16.8% | $103,200 |
| Forrest | 994 | $73,426 | 10.0% | $113,000 |
| Odell | 890 | $83,558 | 9.6% | $121,000 |
| Flanagan | 849 | $62,083 | 12.8% | $108,900 |
| Cullom | 471 | $65,417 | 11.7% | $100,800 |
| Cornell | 389 | $68,750 | 22.5% | $92,200 |
| Saunemin | 352 | $56,250 | 10.8% | $94,600 |
| Long Point | 245 | $66,250 | 9.0% | $91,500 |
| Campus | 172 | $111,406 | 7.6% | $152,200 |
Cities Similar to Pontiac
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markham | 11,355 | $57,302 | $135,300 | 17.7% | 18.0% |
| Summit | 10,846 | $61,863 | $232,600 | 14.0% | 11.2% |
| Schiller Park | 11,393 | $69,696 | $275,000 | 26.2% | 2.5% |
| Fox Lake | 11,131 | $70,819 | $228,100 | 25.7% | 13.1% |
| Herrin | 12,226 | $59,975 | $113,300 | 22.8% | 14.5% |
Population Overview
Pontiac is a small city located in Illinois, within Livingston County. The total population is 11,294. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pontiac is 42.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pontiac is $61,279. This is 27% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.1%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $116,300. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Pontiac is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pontiac is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 82.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, Illinois?
Pontiac, Illinois has a population of 11,294 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pontiac, IL?
The median household income in Pontiac is $61,279, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pontiac, IL?
The poverty rate in Pontiac is 13.1%. This means approximately 1,258 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pontiac, Illinois?
Pontiac's population is 81.8% White, 9.2% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pontiac, IL?
The median home value in Pontiac is $116,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Pontiac, Illinois?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Pontiac hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.