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CITY

Buncombe

Illinois · 207 residents (2025 est.) · 1.187 sq mi
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The short version

Buncombe has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,500. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 77% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $50,000. At a median age of 25.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 25% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 25.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
329
+77%since 2000
from 186 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
277 / sq mi
+77%since 2000
from 157 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
25.5
−36%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:207 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1292012723434151990201020202024Buncombe
2024329
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,500
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,327
+56%since 2000
from $14,975 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.7%
+34.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.360
−9%since 2010
from 0.394 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information32.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$50,000
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
68.1%
−14.6 ptssince 2000
from 82.7% in 2000
31.9% rent
Vacancy rate
20.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−16.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
0.8
−25%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
35
RELATED:See current rent listings in Buncombe on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.5%(185)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic76.6%(252)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other22.2%(73)
Diversity Score45.5%(150)
Diversity Score
45
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.5%
+20.1 ptssince 2000
from 73.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+3%since 2000
from 20.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
94.0%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 88.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−6.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
19.7%
−13.0 ptssince 2011
from 32.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.3%
+15.3 ptssince 2011
from 47.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.1%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
5.1%
−43.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
59.0%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Female
41.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−43.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.2%
−7.6 ptssince 2012
from 18.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.3%
−80.6 ptssince 2013
from 87.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.7%
+31.8 ptssince 2017
from 46.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Buncombe, Illinois?

Buncombe, Illinois has about 329 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Buncombe, Illinois?

The typical household in Buncombe, Illinois earns about $62,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Buncombe, Illinois expensive?

In Buncombe, Illinois, the median home is worth about $50,000.

How educated are people in Buncombe, Illinois?

About 13.0% of adults age 25 and over in Buncombe, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Buncombe, Illinois?

About 10.3% of people in Buncombe, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Buncombe, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Buncombe, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 116 residents, a change of about 54 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Buncombe, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy