Ripley, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ripley, Illinois had a total population of 87, the 1354th largest village in Illinois. The poverty rate is 31.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 51.1% is notably above the national average.
Ripley Quick Facts
How Ripley 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 | 71 | 87 | +22.5% |
| Median home value | $43,000 | $43,100 | +0.2% |
How Ripley 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+)
Ripley Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Brown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Sterling | 1,980 | $59,087 | 12.3% | $131,200 |
| Versailles | 441 | $48,750 | 16.1% | $91,100 |
| Mound Station | 150 | $76,375 | 6.0% | $120,500 |
Cities Similar to Ripley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate | 87 | $16,020 | N/A | 12.3% | 27.6% |
| Russellville | 87 | $47,813 | N/A | 0.0% | 17.2% |
| Garrett | 88 | $70,294 | $129,200 | 5.9% | 12.5% |
| Dewey | 89 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Springerton | 89 | $45,938 | $58,800 | 16.1% | 10.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 87, Ripley's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Ripley is a small community located in Illinois, within Brown County. The total population is 87. It ranks as the 1354th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ripley is 46.6 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 11.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 163% 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 51.1%. This is 775% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $43,100. Housing costs are 84% lower than the state median of $263,300. 54.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Ripley was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 64.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ripley, 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 Ripley, Illinois?
Ripley, Illinois has a population of 87 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ripley, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Ripley — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ripley, IL?
The poverty rate in Ripley is 31.0%. This means approximately 27 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ripley, Illinois?
Ripley's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ripley, IL?
The median home value in Ripley is $43,100.
How educated is Ripley, Illinois?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Ripley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.