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CITY

Princeton

Illinois · 7,674 residents (2025 est.) · 8.24 sq mi
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The short version

Princeton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $61,946. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $134,700. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 26% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,975
+6%since 2000
from 7,501 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
968 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 910 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.0
+10%since 2000
from 41.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,674 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K7K8K8K8K1990201020202024Princeton
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,946
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,622 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,717
+78%since 2000
from $20,632 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.1%
+18.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.7%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
−4%since 2010
from 0.433 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Construction5.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$134,700
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$782
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $405 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 68.6% in 2000
31.4% rent
Vacancy rate
6.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.5%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.6%
−15.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
−6%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
34
RELATED:See current rent listings in Princeton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(7,280)
Black0.4%(29)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(93)
Asian0.6%(47)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.6%(419)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.5%(6,896)
Black1.1%(84)
Hispanic / Latino5.3%(419)
Asian1.3%(102)
Other5.9%(474)
Diversity Score30.7%(2,450)
Diversity Score
31
+450%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 88.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.0%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+47%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.1%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.6%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
11.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 7.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.7%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
50.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−39.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.9%
+4.4 ptssince 2012
from 13.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.5%
−84.1 ptssince 2013
from 88.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.9%
+12.7 ptssince 2017
from 75.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Princeton, Illinois?

Princeton, Illinois has about 7,975 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Princeton, Illinois?

The typical household in Princeton, Illinois earns about $61,946 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Princeton, Illinois expensive?

In Princeton, Illinois, the median home is worth about $134,700, and the typical rent is about $782 a month.

How educated are people in Princeton, Illinois?

About 26.3% of adults age 25 and over in Princeton, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Princeton, Illinois?

About 12.7% of people in Princeton, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Princeton, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Princeton, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 778 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

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