Vandalia, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vandalia, Illinois had a total population of 5,796, the 313th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $45,469, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Vandalia Quick Facts
How Vandalia 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 | 6,041 | 5,796 | -4.1% |
| Median household income | $43,184 | $45,469 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $88,800 | $98,500 | +10.9% |
How Vandalia 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+)
Vandalia Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
Cities Similar to Vandalia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | 5,803 | $50,158 | $111,700 | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| East Alton | 5,689 | $48,815 | $106,700 | 16.4% | 20.8% |
| Metropolis | 5,864 | $50,399 | $86,000 | 14.9% | 17.6% |
| Du Quoin | 5,726 | $54,409 | $83,100 | 11.7% | 29.6% |
| Pana | 5,217 | $46,168 | $77,900 | 15.8% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
Vandalia is a small city located in Illinois, within Fayette County. The total population is 5,796. It ranks as the 313th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vandalia is 43.9 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vandalia is $45,469. This is 45% 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 22.2%. This is 88% 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 6.0%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $98,500. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Vandalia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vandalia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vandalia, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Vandalia, Illinois?
Vandalia, Illinois has a population of 5,796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vandalia, IL?
The median household income in Vandalia is $45,469, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vandalia, IL?
The poverty rate in Vandalia is 22.2%. This means approximately 1,070 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vandalia, Illinois?
Vandalia's population is 78.5% White, 9.8% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vandalia, IL?
The median home value in Vandalia is $98,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Vandalia, Illinois?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Vandalia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.