Urbana city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Urbana city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 38,447. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Urbana city is 26.7 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 11.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Urbana city is $45,854. This is 44% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 42% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.8%. This is 112% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 5.7%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $186,300. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 34.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 48% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Urbana city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.5% vs 5.8%).

Education

58.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Urbana city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.5%. Notably, 37.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Urbana city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.