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CITY

Gardner

Illinois · 1,366 residents (2025 est.) · 2.912 sq mi
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The short version

Gardner has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $88,092. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $199,600.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,410
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1,406 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
484 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 483 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.5
+12%since 2000
from 34.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,366 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Gardner
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$88,092
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,173
+106%since 2000
from $18,995 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
57.9%
+28.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.1%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.398
+1%since 2010
from 0.394 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance14.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade13.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Professional, scientific, technical9.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services4.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$199,600
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $96,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$979
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $519 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
25.0% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 65.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
−1%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gardner on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(1,353)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(46)
Asian0.1%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.4%(119)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.1%(1,157)
Black0.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino13.5%(190)
Asian1.3%(18)
Other2.8%(40)
Diversity Score38.4%(542)
Diversity Score
38
+355%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.4%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 83.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.1 min
+29%since 2000
from 23.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
94.4%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 79.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.5%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.7%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
70.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 67.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.7%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.2%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Female
46.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.3%
−43.5 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2012
from 8.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.3%
−90.1 ptssince 2013
from 93.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.1%
+9.4 ptssince 2017
from 78.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Gardner to nearby cities

GARDNER VS
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GARDNER VS
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Home value$327,900+64%
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GARDNER VS
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GARDNER VS
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Home value$253,100+27%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gardner, Illinois?

Gardner, Illinois has about 1,410 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Gardner, Illinois?

The typical household in Gardner, Illinois earns about $88,092 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gardner, Illinois expensive?

In Gardner, Illinois, the median home is worth about $199,600, and the typical rent is about $979 a month.

How educated are people in Gardner, Illinois?

About 17.4% of adults age 25 and over in Gardner, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gardner, Illinois?

About 16.1% of people in Gardner, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gardner, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Gardner, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 176 residents, a change of about 14 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 →