Varna, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Varna, Illinois had a total population of 387, the 1009th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $62,639, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.0% 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 1.4x.
Varna Quick Facts
How Varna 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 | 425 | 387 | -8.9% |
| Median household income | $61,250 | $62,639 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $89,000 | $89,300 | +0.3% |
How Varna 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+)
Varna Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Marshall County
Cities Similar to Varna
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie City | 378 | $60,694 | $91,500 | 11.7% | 11.9% |
| Emden | 387 | $69,167 | $113,400 | 20.0% | 6.2% |
| Cornell | 389 | $68,750 | $92,200 | 13.2% | 22.5% |
| Waynesville | 375 | $60,000 | $95,300 | 7.4% | 12.9% |
| Joy | 387 | $56,250 | $76,100 | 8.1% | 12.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 387, Varna'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
Varna is a small community located in Illinois, within Marshall County. The total population is 387. It ranks as the 1009th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Varna is 46.9 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Varna is $62,639. This is 25% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 71% 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 6.6%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $89,300. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Varna is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Varna has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.8% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
8.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Varna, 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 Varna, Illinois?
Varna, Illinois has a population of 387 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Varna, IL?
The median household income in Varna is $62,639, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Varna, IL?
The poverty rate in Varna is 20.2%. This means approximately 78 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Varna, Illinois?
Varna's population is 93.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Varna, IL?
The median home value in Varna is $89,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Varna, Illinois?
8.0% of adults (25+) in Varna hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.