Pontoon Beach, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pontoon Beach, Illinois had a total population of 6,025, the 304th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $62,861, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
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 2.3x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.0% is notably above the national average.
Pontoon Beach Quick Facts
How Pontoon Beach 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 | 6,131 | 6,025 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $59,375 | $62,861 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $137,900 | $145,100 | +5.2% |
How Pontoon Beach 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pontoon Beach Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | 14.8% | $104,300 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Highland | 10,262 | $82,551 | 6.0% | $202,900 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
Cities Similar to Pontoon Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carterville | 5,818 | $62,337 | $197,100 | 46.7% | 10.9% |
| Beardstown | 6,169 | $60,587 | $82,100 | 16.8% | 13.7% |
| Chillicothe | 5,900 | $66,132 | $132,900 | 26.4% | 3.7% |
| Peoria Heights | 5,825 | $60,099 | $117,700 | 29.2% | 8.2% |
| Bartonville | 5,841 | $72,821 | $139,100 | 23.6% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Pontoon Beach is a small city located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 6,025. It ranks as the 304th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pontoon Beach is 34.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pontoon Beach is $62,861. This is 25% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 11.0%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $145,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Pontoon Beach is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pontoon Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.0%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, Illinois?
Pontoon Beach, Illinois has a population of 6,025 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pontoon Beach, IL?
The median household income in Pontoon Beach is $62,861, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pontoon Beach, IL?
The poverty rate in Pontoon Beach is 21.7%. This means approximately 1,300 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pontoon Beach, Illinois?
Pontoon Beach's population is 65.4% White, 8.4% Black, 19.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pontoon Beach, IL?
The median home value in Pontoon Beach is $145,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Pontoon Beach, Illinois?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Pontoon Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.