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CITY

Thebes

Illinois · 181 residents (2025 est.) · 1.745 sq mi
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The short version

Thebes has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,917. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 125 residents. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. At a median age of 25.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 32.3% 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: $82,259
Younger
median age 25.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
78% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
353
−26%since 2000
from 478 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
202 / sq mi
−26%since 2000
from 274 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
25.1
−17%since 2000
from 30.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:181 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1702854015166321990201020202024Thebes
2024353
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,917
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,503
+29%since 2000
from $11,262 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.4%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
32.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.401
−15%since 2010
from 0.471 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing13.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance10%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services10%
US avg: 0.9%
Information5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$583
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $283 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.2%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 64.3% in 2000
21.8% rent
Vacancy rate
32.6%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
10.5%
−20.7 ptssince 2009
from 31.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Thebes on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87%(416)
Black10.7%(51)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(1)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score25.2%(120)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(337)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.7%(13)
Diversity Score10.9%(38)
Diversity Score
11
−57%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.7%
+33.4 ptssince 2000
from 59.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.2 min
+77%since 2000
from 18.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
92.5%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.8%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.6%
−15.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.6%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 11.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
38.8%
−8.5 ptssince 2011
from 47.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.0%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.3%
−47.4 ptssince 2009
from 68.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
31.7%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
68.3%
+18.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.6%
−6.3 ptssince 2012
from 21.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.6%
−58.5 ptssince 2013
from 72.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
46.0%
+10.7 ptssince 2017
from 35.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2016
from 98.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Thebes to nearby cities

THEBES VS
Cape Girardeau
Income$55,658+36%
Home value$196,300
Population40,977+22539%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THEBES VS
Jackson
Income$77,105+88%
Home value$240,000
Population16,033+8758%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THEBES VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+44%
Home value$168,800
Population15,983+8730%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
THEBES VS
Carbondale
Income$32,128−21%
Home value$127,900
Population21,811+11950%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Thebes, Illinois?

Thebes, Illinois has about 353 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Thebes, Illinois?

The typical household in Thebes, Illinois earns about $40,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Thebes, Illinois expensive?

In Thebes, Illinois, the typical rent is about $583 a month.

How educated are people in Thebes, Illinois?

About 5.1% of adults age 25 and over in Thebes, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Thebes, Illinois?

About 32.3% of people in Thebes, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Thebes, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Thebes, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 119 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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

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