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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Charleston

Illinois · 21,039 residents · 8.89 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $24,140. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value is $75,600. At a median age of 22.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 30.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 48% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 22.7
US median: 35.2
More educated
33% 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
21,039
+3%since 1990
from 20,398 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,367 / sq mi
+3%since 1990
from 2,294 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
22.7
+2%since 1990
from 22.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K20K21K23K1990201020202024Charleston
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$24,140
−17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,015 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,522
+56%since 1990
from $9,314 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
30.1%
+6.0 ptssince 1990
from 24.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$75,600
+13%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $50,900 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$441
−9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $367 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
45.7%
−6.4 ptssince 1990
from 52.1% in 1990
54.3% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+35%since 1990
from 2.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(19,482)
Black3.2%(644)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(176)
Asian1.1%(224)
Diversity Score12.8%(2,605)
2000
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(19,252)
Black4.2%(889)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(370)
Asian1.3%(277)
Diversity Score17.5%(3,682)
Diversity Score
17
+37%since 1990
from 13 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.1%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 33.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
83.9%
+4.6 ptssince 1990
from 79.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
17.3%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 17.2% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.0 min
−18%since 1990
from 13.4 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 Charleston

Belle Glade
Pop 17,241
New Port Richey
Pop 18,299
Gladeview
Pop 16,655
Lady Lake
Pop 17,496
Places similar to Charleston
Head to head

Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
Mattoon
Income$51,597+114%
Home value$97,700+29%
Population16,667−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Paris
Income$53,927+123%
Home value$75,700same
Population8,026−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+200%
Home value$177,500+135%
Population12,406−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Savoy
Income$91,966+281%
Home value$320,300+324%
Population9,113−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, Illinois?

Charleston, Illinois has about 21,039 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Charleston, Illinois?

The typical household in Charleston, Illinois earns about $24,140 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, Illinois expensive?

In Charleston, Illinois, the median home is worth about $75,600, and the typical rent is about $441 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, Illinois?

About 33.1% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, Illinois?

About 30.1% of people in Charleston, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 641 residents, a change of about 3 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 →