Urbana, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Urbana, Illinois had a total population of 39,341, the 43rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $45,346, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 56.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Illinois.
Urbana Quick Facts
How Urbana 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 | 38,447 | 39,341 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $45,854 | $45,346 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $186,300 | $184,900 | -0.8% |
How Urbana 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+)
Urbana Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Champaign County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | 89,996 | $56,118 | 25.9% | $210,900 |
| Rantoul | 12,421 | $48,691 | 16.9% | $118,200 |
| Mahomet | 10,049 | $118,586 | 3.8% | $299,100 |
| Savoy | 8,968 | $91,966 | 7.9% | $320,300 |
| St. Joseph | 3,778 | $120,789 | 4.1% | $270,900 |
| Tolono | 3,566 | $69,653 | 4.6% | $208,600 |
| Lake of the Woods | 2,091 | $61,625 | 4.7% | $193,500 |
| Fisher | 1,605 | $97,702 | 2.1% | $190,100 |
| Philo | 1,487 | $105,625 | 10.3% | $205,400 |
| Homer | 1,245 | $85,875 | 11.0% | $146,200 |
Cities Similar to Urbana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb | 40,443 | $46,481 | $204,700 | 33.7% | 24.9% |
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | $153,200 | 27.8% | 16.7% |
| Calumet City | 35,100 | $55,369 | $145,200 | 21.4% | 23.4% |
| Rock Island | 36,151 | $59,041 | $125,900 | 24.5% | 21.0% |
| Belleville | 41,370 | $63,535 | $141,300 | 28.0% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Urbana is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within Champaign County. The total population is 39,341. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Urbana is 26.1 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 13.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Urbana is $45,346. This is 46% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 137% 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 4.7%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $184,900. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 37.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Urbana is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 18.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (14.2% vs 5.9%).
Education
56.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Urbana in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher 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 94.1%. Notably, 36.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Urbana, 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 Urbana, Illinois?
Urbana, Illinois has a population of 39,341 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Urbana, IL?
The median household income in Urbana is $45,346, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Urbana, IL?
The poverty rate in Urbana is 28.0%. This means approximately 9,328 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Urbana, Illinois?
Urbana's population is 52.9% White, 18.6% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 14.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Urbana, IL?
The median home value in Urbana is $184,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Urbana, Illinois?
56.8% of adults (25+) in Urbana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 36.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.