Thomson, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thomson, Illinois had a total population of 1,757, the 538th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $61,250, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 4.4% 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 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Thomson Quick Facts
How Thomson 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 | 1,526 | 1,757 | +15.1% |
| Median household income | $54,063 | $61,250 | +13.3% |
| Median home value | $122,300 | $117,000 | -4.3% |
How Thomson 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Thomson Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Carroll County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 2,816 | $48,036 | 18.6% | $72,400 |
| Lanark | 1,541 | $59,375 | 12.7% | $96,600 |
| Mount Carroll | 1,501 | $58,500 | 14.1% | $86,600 |
| Milledgeville | 1,218 | $59,417 | 11.3% | $94,200 |
| Lake Carroll | 853 | $108,750 | 5.5% | $348,500 |
| Shannon | 772 | $58,929 | 9.7% | $115,100 |
| Chadwick | 591 | $78,688 | 3.4% | $85,700 |
Cities Similar to Thomson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern View | 1,751 | $57,270 | $105,300 | 20.8% | 14.9% |
| Jerome | 1,807 | $65,189 | $127,800 | 29.8% | 6.4% |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | $158,500 | 12.6% | 22.5% |
| De Soto | 1,654 | $62,813 | $94,700 | 15.7% | 16.3% |
| Lewistown | 1,781 | $54,000 | $102,200 | 16.1% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Thomson is a small community located in Illinois, within Carroll County. The total population is 1,757. It ranks as the 538th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thomson is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 1.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thomson is $61,250. This is 27% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 81% 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 8.9%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $117,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Thomson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Thomson is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 32.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (32.6% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
4.4% 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 88% 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 69.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thomson, 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 Thomson, Illinois?
Thomson, Illinois has a population of 1,757 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thomson, IL?
The median household income in Thomson is $61,250, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thomson, IL?
The poverty rate in Thomson is 21.3%. This means approximately 71 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thomson, Illinois?
Thomson's population is 42.2% White, 32.6% Black, 20.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thomson, IL?
The median home value in Thomson is $117,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Thomson, Illinois?
4.4% of adults (25+) in Thomson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.