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CITY

Vandalia

Illinois · 7,108 residents (2025 est.) · 8.147 sq mi
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The short version

Vandalia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,469. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 1,179 residents. 14% 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 $98,500. The poverty rate of 22.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 45% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,796
−17%since 2000
from 6,975 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
711 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 856 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.9
+22%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,108 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K7K7K8K1990201020202024Vandalia
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,469
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,857 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,150
+75%since 2000
from $14,918 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.1%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
+16%since 2010
from 0.409 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance9.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,500
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$778
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
66.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.1% in 2000
33.5% rent
Vacancy rate
15.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+11%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
16
RELATED:See current rent listings in Vandalia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82.4%(5,747)
Black15%(1,047)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(119)
Asian0.3%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score36.2%(2,528)
2024
White, non-Hispanic78.5%(4,550)
Black9.8%(568)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(375)
Asian0.2%(11)
Other5%(292)
Diversity Score45.9%(2,662)
Diversity Score
46
+27%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.4%
+24.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.1 min
+51%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.7%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.3%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.6%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% 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
8.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.2%
−10.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.9%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.1%
−38.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.9%
−43.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2012
from 17.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−75.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.1%
+14.5 ptssince 2017
from 67.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2016
from 95.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.9%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Vandalia to nearby cities

VANDALIA VS
Centralia
Income$47,807+5%
Home value$89,600−9%
Population11,863+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
VANDALIA VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+59%
Home value$177,500+80%
Population12,406+75%
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VANDALIA VS
Highland
Income$82,551+82%
Home value$202,900+106%
Population10,042+41%
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VANDALIA VS
Taylorville
Income$57,552+27%
Home value$104,100+6%
Population10,522+48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Vandalia, Illinois?

Vandalia, Illinois has about 5,796 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Vandalia, Illinois?

The typical household in Vandalia, Illinois earns about $45,469 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Vandalia, Illinois expensive?

In Vandalia, Illinois, the median home is worth about $98,500, and the typical rent is about $778 a month.

How educated are people in Vandalia, Illinois?

About 14.0% of adults age 25 and over in Vandalia, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Vandalia, Illinois?

About 22.2% of people in Vandalia, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Vandalia, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Vandalia, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 318 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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

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