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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Knox County

Illinois · 49,967 residents · 716.385 sq mi
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The short version

Knox County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,464. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $83,700. Households here earn about 35% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
49,967
−11%since 2000
from 55,836 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
70 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 78 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.3
+10%since 2000
from 39.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
48K51K53K55K57K1990201020202024Knox County
202449K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,464
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,407 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,804
+38%since 2000
from $17,985 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.8%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance8.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$83,700
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$623
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
68.5%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 71.6% in 2000
31.5% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+5%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Knox County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(49,355)
Black6.2%(3,472)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(1,896)
Asian0.7%(382)
Other0%
Diversity Score24.1%(13,443)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(39,615)
Black8.7%(4,354)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(3,051)
Asian0.7%(361)
Other1.8%(922)
Diversity Score39.4%(19,665)
Segregation Score40%(19,968)
Diversity Score
39
+63%since 2000
from 24 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
40
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.7%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 81.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+53%since 2000
from 13.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.6%
−30.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
49.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.2%
−83.4 ptssince 2013
from 88.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Knox County

Suwannee County
Pop 48,149
Levy County
Pop 48,520
Hendry County
Pop 48,276
Greene County
Pop 47,411
Places similar to Knox County
Head to head

Compare Knox County to nearby counties

KNOX COUNTY VS
Warren County
Income$67,385+52%
Home value$105,000+25%
Population16,222−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOX COUNTY VS
Stark County
Income$62,878+41%
Home value$104,500+25%
Population5,319−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOX COUNTY VS
Peoria County
Income$65,108+46%
Home value$158,500+89%
Population178,553+274%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOX COUNTY VS
Henry County
Income$71,911+62%
Home value$151,600+81%
Population48,095+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Knox County, Illinois?

Knox County, Illinois has about 49,967 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Knox County, Illinois earns about $44,464 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Knox County, Illinois expensive?

In Knox County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $83,700, and the typical rent is about $623 a month.

How educated are people in Knox County, Illinois?

About 19.2% of adults age 25 and over in Knox County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Knox County, Illinois?

About 16.7% of people in Knox County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Knox County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Knox County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6,426 residents, a change of about -11 percent over that period.

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16 census tracts
Census Tract 5Census Tract 4Census Tract 3Census Tract 15Census Tract 13Census Tract 10Census Tract 6Census Tract 16Census Tract 2Census Tract 1Census Tract 11Census Tract 8Census Tract 9Census Tract 7Census Tract 14Census Tract 12
17 ZIP codes
ZIP 61401ZIP 61448ZIP 61410ZIP 61402ZIP 61428ZIP 61467ZIP 61488ZIP 61489ZIP 61436ZIP 61572ZIP 61430ZIP 61414ZIP 61458ZIP 61472ZIP 61485ZIP 61439ZIP 61474
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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