Sesser, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sesser, Illinois had a total population of 2,023, the 502nd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,604, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Sesser Quick Facts
How Sesser 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 | 1,919 | 2,023 | +5.4% |
| Median household income | $52,326 | $52,604 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $79,800 | $82,300 | +3.1% |
How Sesser 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+)
Sesser Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort | 7,118 | $47,898 | 29.0% | $81,200 |
| Benton | 6,863 | $54,123 | 17.7% | $87,200 |
| Christopher | 2,570 | $48,247 | 20.8% | $66,600 |
| Zeigler | 1,267 | $41,553 | 16.2% | $57,300 |
| Royalton | 1,214 | $59,219 | 11.0% | $71,500 |
| North City | 715 | $53,977 | 5.5% | $114,100 |
| West City | 662 | $48,750 | 20.4% | $71,400 |
| Valier | 523 | $27,305 | 33.7% | $80,100 |
| Thompsonville | 500 | $46,058 | 18.0% | $84,500 |
| Orient | 417 | $39,750 | 40.9% | $49,800 |
Cities Similar to Sesser
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | 2,001 | $56,500 | $93,800 | 12.4% | 27.8% |
| Arthur | 2,083 | $54,907 | $151,300 | 20.0% | 19.2% |
| Mount Sterling | 1,980 | $59,087 | $131,200 | 21.5% | 12.3% |
| New Athens | 1,933 | $56,553 | $116,300 | 17.8% | 11.5% |
| Carbon Cliff | 2,151 | $55,536 | $134,600 | 5.8% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
Sesser is a small community located in Illinois, within Franklin County. The total population is 2,023. It ranks as the 502nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sesser is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sesser is $52,604. This is 37% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,300. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Sesser is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sesser has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.4% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sesser, 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 Sesser, Illinois?
Sesser, Illinois has a population of 2,023 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sesser, IL?
The median household income in Sesser is $52,604, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sesser, IL?
The poverty rate in Sesser is 19.6%. This means approximately 393 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sesser, Illinois?
Sesser's population is 93.4% White, 0.0% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sesser, IL?
The median home value in Sesser is $82,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Sesser, Illinois?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Sesser hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.