Zion, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Zion, Illinois had a total population of 24,600, the 90th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $63,104, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Zion Quick Facts
How Zion 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 | 24,466 | 24,600 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $62,574 | $63,104 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $179,100 | $183,800 | +2.6% |
How Zion 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+)
Zion Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | 15.3% | $190,900 |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | $108,340 | 8.2% | $309,700 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | 24.5% | $159,600 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | 5.2% | $344,300 |
| Highland Park | 30,398 | $168,094 | 4.2% | $607,300 |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | 14.8% | $199,200 |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | $121,943 | 6.1% | $412,300 |
| Grayslake | 20,929 | $113,972 | 6.3% | $309,500 |
| Libertyville | 20,525 | $165,667 | 4.2% | $512,000 |
| Lake Zurich | 19,832 | $135,968 | 3.4% | $435,300 |
Cities Similar to Zion
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvidere | 24,752 | $64,528 | $158,900 | 12.8% | 14.6% |
| Melrose Park | 24,549 | $66,189 | $275,800 | 15.0% | 12.3% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | $163,600 | 31.0% | 12.0% |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,700 | 21.5% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Zion is a small city located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 24,600. It ranks as the 90th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Zion is 32.3 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Zion has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Zion is $63,104. This is 24% 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 16.0%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $183,800. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Zion is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Zion is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 24.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (24.5%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (23.1% vs 13.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (43.7% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 84.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Zion, 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 Zion, Illinois?
Zion, Illinois has a population of 24,600 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Zion, IL?
The median household income in Zion is $63,104, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Zion, IL?
The poverty rate in Zion is 16.0%. This means approximately 3,865 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Zion, Illinois?
Zion's population is 24.5% White, 23.1% Black, 43.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Zion, IL?
The median home value in Zion is $183,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Zion, Illinois?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Zion hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.