Zeigler, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Zeigler, Illinois had a total population of 1,267, the 634th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $41,553, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Zeigler Quick Facts
How Zeigler 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 | 1,325 | 1,267 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $39,148 | $41,553 | +6.1% |
| Median home value | $52,000 | $57,300 | +10.2% |
How Zeigler 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+)
Zeigler Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort | 7,118 | $47,898 | 29.0% | $81,200 |
| Benton | 6,863 | $54,123 | 17.7% | $87,200 |
| Christopher | 2,570 | $48,247 | 20.8% | $66,600 |
| Sesser | 2,023 | $52,604 | 19.6% | $82,300 |
| Royalton | 1,214 | $59,219 | 11.0% | $71,500 |
| North City | 715 | $53,977 | 5.5% | $114,100 |
| West City | 662 | $48,750 | 20.4% | $71,400 |
| Valier | 523 | $27,305 | 33.7% | $80,100 |
| Thompsonville | 500 | $46,058 | 18.0% | $84,500 |
| Orient | 417 | $39,750 | 40.9% | $49,800 |
Cities Similar to Zeigler
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Elmo | 1,257 | $45,294 | $82,600 | 6.2% | 27.8% |
| Hartford | 1,334 | $41,092 | $66,100 | 4.8% | 20.7% |
| La Harpe | 1,273 | $49,205 | $86,400 | 25.6% | 12.9% |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | $78,000 | 7.9% | 19.2% |
| Griggsville | 1,310 | $36,667 | $86,200 | 9.6% | 23.4% |
Population Overview
Zeigler is a small community located in Illinois, within Franklin County. The total population is 1,267. It ranks as the 634th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Zeigler is 48.7 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 12.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Zeigler is $41,553. This is 50% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 37% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.4%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $57,300. Housing costs are 78% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Zeigler is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Zeigler has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.6% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Zeigler, 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 Zeigler, Illinois?
Zeigler, Illinois has a population of 1,267 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Zeigler, IL?
The median household income in Zeigler is $41,553, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Zeigler, IL?
The poverty rate in Zeigler is 16.2%. This means approximately 197 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Zeigler, Illinois?
Zeigler's population is 95.6% White, 0.2% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Zeigler, IL?
The median home value in Zeigler is $57,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Zeigler, Illinois?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Zeigler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.