Tilden, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tilden, Illinois had a total population of 762, the 781st largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $47,857, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.6% 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 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 15.0% is notably above the national average.
Tilden Quick Facts
How Tilden 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 | 722 | 762 | +5.5% |
| Median household income | $45,625 | $47,857 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $72,300 | $70,300 | -2.8% |
How Tilden 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+)
Tilden Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Randolph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 6,797 | $80,625 | 21.6% | $111,700 |
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | 24.4% | $111,200 |
| Red Bud | 3,782 | $71,850 | 4.9% | $171,000 |
| Steeleville | 1,855 | $60,313 | 22.5% | $158,500 |
| Percy | 921 | $44,015 | 15.8% | $77,200 |
| Coulterville | 796 | $48,636 | 12.1% | $82,300 |
| Evansville | 781 | $65,750 | 22.5% | $88,200 |
| Prairie du Rocher | 454 | $66,161 | 8.2% | $88,800 |
| Ruma | 394 | $75,000 | 4.6% | $125,600 |
| Ellis Grove | 359 | $82,813 | 5.3% | $78,300 |
Cities Similar to Tilden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgway | 779 | $46,000 | $75,000 | 17.9% | 9.7% |
| Coulterville | 796 | $48,636 | $82,300 | 20.2% | 12.1% |
| Bradford | 772 | $52,292 | $80,700 | 16.7% | 22.1% |
| Saybrook | 744 | $52,721 | $98,100 | 15.8% | 15.2% |
| Hopedale | 753 | $54,375 | $144,700 | 22.7% | 28.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 762, Tilden'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
Tilden is a small community located in Illinois, within Randolph County. The total population is 762. It ranks as the 781st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tilden is 43.3 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tilden is $47,857. This is 43% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 143% 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 15.0%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $70,300. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Tilden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tilden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.6% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
5.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 85% 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 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tilden, 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 Tilden, Illinois?
Tilden, Illinois has a population of 762 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tilden, IL?
The median household income in Tilden is $47,857, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tilden, IL?
The poverty rate in Tilden is 28.7%. This means approximately 219 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tilden, Illinois?
Tilden's population is 91.6% White, 1.1% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tilden, IL?
The median home value in Tilden is $70,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Tilden, Illinois?
5.6% of adults (25+) in Tilden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.