Unity, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Unity, Illinois had a total population of 77, the 1367th largest community in Illinois. The poverty rate is 5.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 79.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Unity Quick Facts
How Unity 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 | 153 | 77 | -49.7% |
How Unity 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+)
Unity 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 |
| 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 |
Cities Similar to Unity
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irwin | 78 | $102,750 | $160,900 | 30.2% | 3.9% |
| Longview | 78 | $74,375 | $63,300 | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Ritchie | 79 | N/A | $347,700 | 25.8% | 0.0% |
| Ellisville | 80 | $50,865 | $33,600 | 1.5% | 10.0% |
| Osco | 74 | $72,778 | $109,600 | 0.0% | 13.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 77, Unity'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
Unity is a small community located in Illinois, within Alexander County. The total population is 77. It ranks as the 1367th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Unity is 43.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 5.2%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Unity, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Unity is Black or African American, making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (84.4% vs 13.3%).
Education
79.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Unity in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 110% higher than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 46.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Unity, 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 Unity, Illinois?
Unity, Illinois has a population of 77 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Unity, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Unity — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Unity, IL?
The poverty rate in Unity is 5.2%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Unity, Illinois?
Unity's population is 0.0% White, 84.4% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Unity, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Unity — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Unity, Illinois?
79.6% of adults (25+) in Unity hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 46.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.