Rantoul, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rantoul, Illinois had a total population of 12,421, the 192nd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $48,691, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Rantoul Quick Facts
How Rantoul 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 | 12,515 | 12,421 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $49,821 | $48,691 | -2.3% |
| Median home value | $109,200 | $118,200 | +8.2% |
How Rantoul 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rantoul Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Champaign County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 89,996 | $56,118 | 25.9% | $210,900 |
| Urbana | 39,341 | $45,346 | 28.0% | $184,900 |
| Mahomet | 10,049 | $118,586 | 3.8% | $299,100 |
| Savoy | 8,968 | $91,966 | 7.9% | $320,300 |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | 4.1% | $270,900 |
| Tolono | 3,566 | $69,653 | 4.6% | $208,600 |
| Lake of the Woods | 2,091 | $61,625 | 4.7% | $193,500 |
| Fisher | 1,605 | $97,702 | 2.1% | $190,100 |
| Philo | 1,487 | $105,625 | 10.3% | $205,400 |
| Homer | 1,245 | $85,875 | 11.0% | $146,200 |
Cities Similar to Rantoul
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 11,856 | $47,807 | $89,600 | 16.4% | 24.3% |
| Kewanee | 11,913 | $50,886 | $73,200 | 16.0% | 17.9% |
| Justice | 12,324 | $57,170 | $238,400 | 21.0% | 19.4% |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | $94,700 | 12.9% | 20.3% |
| Canton | 13,144 | $53,254 | $107,100 | 16.3% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Rantoul is a small city located in Illinois, within Champaign County. The total population is 12,421. It ranks as the 192nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rantoul is 36.6 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rantoul is $48,691. This is 42% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $118,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Rantoul is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rantoul is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.1%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 93.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rantoul, 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 Rantoul, Illinois?
Rantoul, Illinois has a population of 12,421 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rantoul, IL?
The median household income in Rantoul is $48,691, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rantoul, IL?
The poverty rate in Rantoul is 16.9%. This means approximately 2,063 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rantoul, Illinois?
Rantoul's population is 52.0% White, 17.9% Black, 20.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rantoul, IL?
The median home value in Rantoul is $118,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Rantoul, Illinois?
12.4% of adults (25+) in Rantoul hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.