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CITY

Galesburg

Illinois · 28,581 residents (2025 est.) · 17.76 sq mi
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#330Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-6.7%
The short version

Galesburg has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,297. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $96,400. Households here earn about 42% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 11%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,481
−13%since 2000
from 33,706 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,660 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,898 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.8
+7%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:28,581 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
29K30K32K33K34K1990201020202024Galesburg
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,297
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,987 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,222
+58%since 2000
from $17,214 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.7%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.1%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.458
−2%since 2010
from 0.467 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services2.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,400
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$801
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $412 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
37.8% rent
Vacancy rate
10.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
39
RELATED:See current rent listings in Galesburg on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.1%(27,688)
Black10.1%(3,402)
Hispanic / Latino5%(1,688)
Asian1%(345)
Other0%
Diversity Score36%(12,134)
2024
White, non-Hispanic70.8%(20,883)
Black12.8%(3,780)
Hispanic / Latino8.8%(2,591)
Asian1.9%(559)
Other5.7%(1,668)
Diversity Score58.8%(17,339)
Diversity Score
59
+63%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.6 min
+48%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 52.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.5%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
49.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−44.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 15.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.7%
−81.2 ptssince 2013
from 86.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.3%
+16.1 ptssince 2017
from 66.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 92.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 3.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Galesburg to nearby cities

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GALESBURG VS
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GALESBURG VS
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GALESBURG VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Galesburg, Illinois?

Galesburg, Illinois has about 29,481 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Galesburg, Illinois?

The typical household in Galesburg, Illinois earns about $48,297 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Galesburg, Illinois expensive?

In Galesburg, Illinois, the median home is worth about $96,400, and the typical rent is about $801 a month.

How educated are people in Galesburg, Illinois?

About 19.7% of adults age 25 and over in Galesburg, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Galesburg, Illinois?

About 19.1% of people in Galesburg, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Galesburg, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Galesburg, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 4,049 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

How we source and harmonize this data →