Tamms, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tamms, Illinois had a total population of 589, the 881st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,046, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Tamms Quick Facts
How Tamms 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 | 532 | 589 | +10.7% |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $50,046 | +21.3% |
| Median home value | $57,200 | $55,700 | -2.6% |
How Tamms 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Tamms Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Alexander County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 1,682 | $41,912 | 18.9% | $32,000 |
| Olive Branch | 499 | N/A | 30.1% | $61,500 |
| Thebes | 353 | $40,917 | 32.3% | N/A |
| East Cape Girardeau | 283 | $42,188 | 29.0% | $62,500 |
| McClure | 239 | $75,385 | 12.2% | $56,700 |
| Unity | 77 | N/A | 5.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tamms
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamaroa | 597 | $48,646 | $80,200 | 11.5% | 7.3% |
| Schram City | 578 | $51,250 | $94,300 | 10.5% | 16.3% |
| Industry | 569 | $51,250 | $85,300 | 23.7% | 18.8% |
| Godley | 602 | $53,438 | $144,600 | 8.5% | 16.5% |
| Potomac | 605 | $53,194 | $95,500 | 12.5% | 7.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 589, Tamms'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
Tamms is a small community located in Illinois, within Alexander County. The total population is 589. It ranks as the 881st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tamms is 50.3 years. This is 29% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tamms is $50,046. This is 40% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $55,700. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Tamms is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tamms is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 34.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (34.5% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tamms, 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 Tamms, Illinois?
Tamms, Illinois has a population of 589 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tamms, IL?
The median household income in Tamms is $50,046, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tamms, IL?
The poverty rate in Tamms is 17.1%. This means approximately 93 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tamms, Illinois?
Tamms's population is 60.1% White, 34.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tamms, IL?
The median home value in Tamms is $55,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Tamms, Illinois?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Tamms hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.