Sycamore, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sycamore, Illinois had a total population of 18,559, the 135th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $84,120, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 46.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Sycamore Quick Facts
How Sycamore 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 | 18,243 | 18,559 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $80,837 | $84,120 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $254,200 | $265,700 | +4.5% |
How Sycamore 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+)
Sycamore Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 40,443 | $46,481 | 24.9% | $204,700 |
| Genoa | 5,492 | $82,128 | 11.8% | $225,200 |
| Cortland | 4,564 | $73,971 | 7.0% | $233,200 |
| Hinckley | 2,331 | $86,823 | 10.0% | $291,700 |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | 6.8% | $191,600 |
| Waterman | 1,448 | $100,139 | 5.0% | $217,300 |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | 7.0% | $241,700 |
| Malta | 1,274 | $80,625 | 24.0% | $180,300 |
| Shabbona | 572 | $63,750 | 13.5% | $186,600 |
Cities Similar to Sycamore
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palos Hills | 18,081 | $83,533 | $279,200 | 27.6% | 8.4% |
| Bensenville | 18,603 | $79,515 | $272,000 | 19.4% | 7.6% |
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | $253,100 | 34.1% | 9.5% |
| Bellwood | 18,256 | $79,513 | $230,000 | 17.2% | 11.7% |
| Franklin Park | 18,197 | $76,519 | $287,000 | 19.7% | 9.4% |
Population Overview
Sycamore is a small city located in Illinois, within DeKalb County. The total population is 18,559. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sycamore is 36.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sycamore is $84,120. This is about the same as the state median of $83,390. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $265,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sycamore is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.3%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
46.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sycamore in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 22% higher 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 96.6%. Notably, 19.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sycamore, 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 Sycamore, Illinois?
Sycamore, Illinois has a population of 18,559 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sycamore, IL?
The median household income in Sycamore is $84,120, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sycamore, IL?
The poverty rate in Sycamore is 8.1%. This means approximately 1,503 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sycamore, Illinois?
Sycamore's population is 80.8% White, 3.0% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sycamore, IL?
The median home value in Sycamore is $265,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Sycamore, Illinois?
46.0% of adults (25+) in Sycamore hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.