Pulaski County, Illinois Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Pulaski County is located in Illinois with a total population of 5,074. It is the 96th most populous county out of 102 in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pulaski County is 42.7 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pulaski County is $43,227. This is 47% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.1%. This is 123% 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 2.4%. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $81,000. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Pulaski County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Pulaski County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.3% vs 13.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

11.9% 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 68% 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 87.4%.