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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cairo

Illinois · 1,733 residents · 6.987 sq mi
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The short version

Cairo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $27,661. Population has fallen 52% since 2000, a loss of 1,899 residents. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $29,400. With a median age of 49.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 60% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 49.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 24%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,733
−52%since 2000
from 3,632 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
248 / sq mi
−52%since 2000
from 520 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
49.4
+36%since 2000
from 36.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K3K4K5K1990201020202024Cairo
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,661
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,607 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,661
+21%since 2000
from $16,220 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
7.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
36.2%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 33.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information29%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade6.5%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$29,400
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$652
+93%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $225 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
58.9%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 55.5% in 2000
41.1% rent
Afford Score
1.1
−11%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cairo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic35.8%(1,300)
Black61.6%(2,236)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(27)
Asian0.7%(26)
Other0%
Diversity Score60.1%(2,182)
2020
White, non-Hispanic25%(434)
Black68.8%(1,193)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(20)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.7%(29)
Diversity Score53.3%(923)
Diversity Score
53
−11%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.4%
+18.1 ptssince 2000
from 67.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
34.7 min
+164%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
88.8%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 78.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
22.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.9%
−9.7 ptssince 2011
from 19.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
44.0%
−8.2 ptssince 2011
from 52.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.7%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.5%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
Female
53.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.4%
−70.5 ptssince 2013
from 76.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Cairo to nearby cities

CAIRO VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+113%
Home value$168,800+474%
Population15,983+955%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAIRO VS
Cape Girardeau
Income$55,658+101%
Home value$196,300+568%
Population40,977+2605%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAIRO VS
Paducah
Income$49,915+80%
Home value$165,300+462%
Population26,730+1664%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAIRO VS
Mayfield
Income$40,965+48%
Home value$112,500+283%
Population9,851+550%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cairo, Illinois?

Cairo, Illinois has about 1,733 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cairo, Illinois?

The typical household in Cairo, Illinois earns about $27,661 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cairo, Illinois expensive?

In Cairo, Illinois, the median home is worth about $29,400, and the typical rent is about $652 a month.

How educated are people in Cairo, Illinois?

About 12.9% of adults age 25 and over in Cairo, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cairo, Illinois?

About 36.2% of people in Cairo, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cairo, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Cairo, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,113 residents, a change of about -64 percent over that period.

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

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