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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cowden

Illinois · 515 residents · 0.402 sq mi
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The short version

Cowden has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,250. Population has fallen 16% since 2000, a loss of 97 residents. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $64,500. The poverty rate of 31.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 51% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
515
−16%since 2000
from 612 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,281 / sq mi
−16%since 2000
from 1,522 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.4
+33%since 2000
from 32.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3113984855716581990201020202024Cowden
2024534
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,250
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,938 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,309
+46%since 2000
from $12,583 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
14.8%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
31.2%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information22.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade16.4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,500
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
68.0%
−9.7 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
32.0% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+51%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cowden on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(600)
Black0.5%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.2%(8)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.2%(480)
Black0.8%(4)
Hispanic / Latino1%(5)
Asian0.8%(4)
Other0.4%(2)
Diversity Score7.4%(38)
Diversity Score
7
+497%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.5%
+18.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+7%since 2000
from 22.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.0%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 93.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.2%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 4.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2011
from 53.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.8%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.9%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
Female
56.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.1%
−66.5 ptssince 2013
from 73.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Cowden to nearby cities

COWDEN VS
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Income$72,377+118%
Home value$177,500+175%
Population12,406+2396%
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COWDEN VS
Mattoon
Income$51,597+55%
Home value$97,700+51%
Population16,667+3254%
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COWDEN VS
Taylorville
Income$57,552+73%
Home value$104,100+61%
Population10,522+2017%
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COWDEN VS
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Income$49,300+48%
Home value$137,400+113%
Population17,466+3414%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cowden, Illinois?

Cowden, Illinois has about 515 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cowden, Illinois?

The typical household in Cowden, Illinois earns about $33,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cowden, Illinois expensive?

In Cowden, Illinois, the median home is worth about $64,500.

How educated are people in Cowden, Illinois?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Cowden, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cowden, Illinois?

About 31.2% of people in Cowden, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cowden, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Cowden, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 70 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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

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