Thebes, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thebes, Illinois had a total population of 353, the 1033rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $40,917, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Thebes Quick Facts
How Thebes 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 | 363 | 353 | -2.8% |
| Median household income | $41,250 | $40,917 | -0.8% |
How Thebes 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+)
Thebes 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 |
| Tamms | 589 | $50,046 | 17.1% | $55,700 |
| Olive Branch | 499 | N/A | 30.1% | $61,500 |
| 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 Thebes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin | 355 | $46,771 | $87,500 | 8.8% | 25.9% |
| Edgewood | 351 | $47,604 | $85,500 | 5.6% | 18.2% |
| Lawrence | 358 | $46,862 | $423,500 | 0.0% | 9.2% |
| Ludlow | 372 | $45,000 | $72,500 | 12.7% | 24.7% |
| New Douglas | 346 | $50,000 | $77,500 | 10.6% | 20.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 353, Thebes'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
Thebes is a small community located in Illinois, within Alexander County. The total population is 353. It ranks as the 1033rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thebes is 25.1 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 41.4% of the population under 18, Thebes has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thebes is $40,917. This is 51% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 173% 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 3.6%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thebes has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.5% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
5.1% 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. This is 87% 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 92.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thebes, 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 Thebes, Illinois?
Thebes, Illinois has a population of 353 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thebes, IL?
The median household income in Thebes is $40,917, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thebes, IL?
The poverty rate in Thebes is 32.3%. This means approximately 114 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thebes, Illinois?
Thebes's population is 95.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thebes, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Thebes — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Thebes, Illinois?
5.1% of adults (25+) in Thebes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.