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CITY · 2020 ACS

Charleston

Illinois · 17,286 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 $41,436. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 3,753 residents. Median home value is $110,500. At a median age of 30.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 27.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 39% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,286
−18%since 2000
from 21,039 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,944 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 2,367 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.9
+36%since 2000
from 22.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K20K21K23K1990201020202024Charleston
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,436
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,140 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,901
+65%since 2000
from $14,522 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.5%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2000
from 30.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 10%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$110,500
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$716
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $441 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 45.7% in 2000
53.2% rent
Afford Score
2.7
−15%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(19,252)
Black4.2%(889)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(370)
Asian1.3%(277)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.5%(3,682)
2020
White, non-Hispanic78.4%(13,557)
Black8.3%(1,427)
Hispanic / Latino5.8%(1,010)
Asian2.5%(438)
Other2.1%(360)
Diversity Score42%(7,265)
Diversity Score
42
+140%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 33.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.1%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.6%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.0 min
+37%since 2000
from 11.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 12.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.2%
+8.6 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.5%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.9%
−80.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+25%
Home value$97,700−12%
Population16,667−5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Paris
Income$53,927+30%
Home value$75,700−31%
Population8,026−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+75%
Home value$177,500+61%
Population12,406−29%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Savoy
Income$91,966+122%
Home value$320,300+190%
Population9,113−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, Illinois?

Charleston, Illinois has about 17,286 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Charleston, Illinois?

The typical household in Charleston, Illinois earns about $41,436 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 $110,500, and the typical rent is about $716 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, Illinois?

About 34.3% 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 27.3% of people in Charleston, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,112 residents, a change of about -15 percent over that period.

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

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