COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Jefferson County

Illinois · 40,045 residents · 571.235 sq mi

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Part of the Mount Vernon micropolitan area

The short version

Jefferson County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $33,555. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $60,000. Households here earn about 28% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Older

median age 37.6

US median: 35.2

Less educated

14% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

40,045

+8%since 1990

from 37,020 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

70 / sq mi

+8%since 1990

from 65 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

37.6

+8%since 1990

from 34.9 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202437K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$33,555

+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $22,397 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$16,644

+48%since 1990

from $11,279 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

12.3%

−3.7 ptssince 1990

from 16.1% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$60,000

+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $41,700 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$392

−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $300 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

74.6%

+1.5 ptssince 1990

from 73.0% in 1990

25.4% rent

Afford Score

1.8

−4%since 1990

from 1.9 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Jefferson County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic93.8%(34,741)

Black5.2%(1,923)

Hispanic / Latino0.8%(306)

Asian0.3%(122)

Diversity Score16.4%(6,059)

2000

White, non-Hispanic89.2%(35,709)

Black7.7%(3,093)

Hispanic / Latino1.3%(531)

Asian0.5%(188)

Diversity Score22.2%(8,874)

Diversity Score

+35%since 1990

from 16 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

13.7%

+2.4 ptssince 1990

from 11.3% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

77.0%

+7.1 ptssince 1990

from 69.9% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

4.8%

+1.1 ptssince 1990

from 3.7% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

13.8 min

−24%since 1990

from 18.0 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Jefferson County

Head to head

Compare Jefferson County to nearby counties

JEFFERSON COUNTY VS

Franklin County

Income$56,740+69%

Home value$89,000+48%

Population36,916+2%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

JEFFERSON COUNTY VS

Marion County

Income$61,240+83%

Home value$103,000+72%

Population36,382+1%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

JEFFERSON COUNTY VS

Hamilton County

Income$65,746+96%

Home value$113,700+90%

Population7,859−78%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

JEFFERSON COUNTY VS

Washington County

Income$78,224+133%

Home value$155,700+160%

Population13,564−62%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Jefferson County, Illinois?

Jefferson County, Illinois has about 40,045 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Jefferson County, Illinois?

The typical household in Jefferson County, Illinois earns about $33,555 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Jefferson County, Illinois expensive?

In Jefferson County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $60,000, and the typical rent is about $392 a month.

How educated are people in Jefferson County, Illinois?

About 13.7% of adults age 25 and over in Jefferson County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Jefferson County, Illinois?

About 12.3% of people in Jefferson County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Jefferson County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Jefferson County, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,025 residents, a change of about 8 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 →