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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Carbondale

Illinois · 20,681 residents · 17.479 sq mi
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The short version

Carbondale has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $15,882. Population has fallen 23% since 1990, a loss of 6,352 residents. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $70,100. At a median age of 24.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 66% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 24.7
US median: 35.2
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,681
−23%since 1990
from 27,033 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,183 / sq mi
−23%since 1990
from 1,547 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
24.7
+10%since 1990
from 22.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K22K24K26K28K1990201020202024Carbondale
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$15,882
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $11,821 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,346
+66%since 1990
from $8,037 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
41.4%
−4.7 ptssince 1990
from 46.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$70,100
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $52,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$403
−4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $319 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
28.7%
−0.4 ptssince 1990
from 29.0% in 1990
71.3% rent
Afford Score
4.4
−1%since 1990
from 4.4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carbondale on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic74.3%(20,083)
Black17.3%(4,684)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(789)
Asian7.2%(1,948)
Diversity Score55.6%(15,029)
2000
White, non-Hispanic64.7%(13,384)
Black23%(4,750)
Hispanic / Latino3%(630)
Asian6.6%(1,373)
Diversity Score62.1%(12,847)
Diversity Score
62
+12%since 1990
from 56 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
47.8%
+1.7 ptssince 1990
from 46.2% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
90.7%
+3.2 ptssince 1990
from 87.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
23.5%
−1.3 ptssince 1990
from 24.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.6 min
−14%since 1990
from 12.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Carbondale

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Pop 16,177
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Pop 23,822
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Pop 16,936
Places similar to Carbondale
Head to head

Compare Carbondale to nearby cities

CARBONDALE VS
Herrin
Income$59,975+278%
Home value$113,300+62%
Population12,268−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARBONDALE VS
Marion
Income$56,912+258%
Home value$158,300+126%
Population17,148−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARBONDALE VS
Jackson
Income$77,105+385%
Home value$240,000+242%
Population16,033−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARBONDALE VS
Cape Girardeau
Income$55,658+250%
Home value$196,300+180%
Population40,977+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Carbondale, Illinois?

Carbondale, Illinois has about 20,681 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Carbondale, Illinois?

The typical household in Carbondale, Illinois earns about $15,882 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carbondale, Illinois expensive?

In Carbondale, Illinois, the median home is worth about $70,100, and the typical rent is about $403 a month.

How educated are people in Carbondale, Illinois?

About 47.8% of adults age 25 and over in Carbondale, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carbondale, Illinois?

About 41.4% of people in Carbondale, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carbondale, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Carbondale, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6,352 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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

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