Sheldon, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheldon, Illinois had a total population of 1,195, the 650th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $44,280, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 18.3% is notably above the national average.
Sheldon Quick Facts
How Sheldon 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 | 1,309 | 1,195 | -8.7% |
| Median household income | $43,942 | $44,280 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $75,200 | $78,000 | +3.7% |
How Sheldon 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+)
Sheldon Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Iroquois County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | 23.4% | $103,700 |
| Gilman | 1,612 | $70,750 | 6.0% | $120,500 |
| Onarga | 1,430 | $78,352 | 8.6% | $99,300 |
| Clifton | 1,385 | $92,344 | 11.9% | $205,400 |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | 26.8% | $74,600 |
| Ashkum | 918 | $78,365 | 5.2% | $150,600 |
| Cissna Park | 903 | $56,667 | 14.6% | $130,300 |
| Danforth | 611 | $54,625 | 26.7% | $151,200 |
| Crescent City | 456 | $58,333 | 3.5% | $116,500 |
| Buckley | 422 | $53,500 | 15.4% | $96,800 |
Cities Similar to Sheldon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany | 1,176 | $44,583 | $106,200 | 22.1% | 12.3% |
| Louisville | 1,163 | $43,750 | $87,100 | 14.4% | 30.6% |
| Cobden | 1,170 | $46,458 | $98,300 | 20.5% | 28.8% |
| St. Elmo | 1,257 | $45,294 | $82,600 | 6.2% | 27.8% |
| Grandview | 1,243 | $48,819 | $71,500 | 11.8% | 26.6% |
Population Overview
Sheldon is a small community located in Illinois, within Iroquois County. The total population is 1,195. It ranks as the 650th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheldon is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheldon is $44,280. This is 47% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 18.3%. This is 214% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $78,000. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Sheldon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sheldon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.9% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 77.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, Illinois?
Sheldon, Illinois has a population of 1,195 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheldon, IL?
The median household income in Sheldon is $44,280, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheldon, IL?
The poverty rate in Sheldon is 19.2%. This means approximately 225 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheldon, Illinois?
Sheldon's population is 95.9% White, 0.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheldon, IL?
The median home value in Sheldon is $78,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Sheldon, Illinois?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Sheldon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.