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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Perry County

Illinois · 20,945 residents · 441.928 sq mi
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The short version

Perry County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,616. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $85,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,945
−9%since 2000
from 23,094 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
47 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 52 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.0
+12%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K22K23K23K1990201020202024Perry County
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,616
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,281 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,442
+53%since 2000
from $15,935 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.2%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.5%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing2.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,700
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$593
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $370 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
22.5% rent
Afford Score
1.7
+2%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Perry County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89%(20,563)
Black8%(1,849)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(406)
Asian0.3%(63)
Other0%
Diversity Score23.2%(5,355)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(17,779)
Black7.9%(1,653)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(714)
Asian0.6%(125)
Other1.9%(390)
Diversity Score31.4%(6,586)
Segregation Score36.9%(7,730)
Diversity Score
31
+36%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
37
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.2%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 72.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.9 min
+42%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
47.9%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.8%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Female
45.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.7%
−83.8 ptssince 2013
from 87.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Perry County

Gilchrist County
Pop 20,488
Fayette County
Pop 20,790
Pierce County
Pop 20,764
Worth County
Pop 20,059
Places similar to Perry County
Head to head

Compare Perry County to nearby counties

PERRY COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$78,224+52%
Home value$155,700+82%
Population13,564−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERRY COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$48,763−6%
Home value$137,300+60%
Population52,501+160%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERRY COUNTY VS
Randolph County
Income$68,131+32%
Home value$135,100+58%
Population29,921+48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PERRY COUNTY VS
Franklin County
Income$56,740+10%
Home value$89,000+4%
Population36,916+83%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Perry County, Illinois?

Perry County, Illinois has about 20,945 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Perry County, Illinois earns about $51,616 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Perry County, Illinois expensive?

In Perry County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $85,700, and the typical rent is about $593 a month.

How educated are people in Perry County, Illinois?

About 11.6% of adults age 25 and over in Perry County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Perry County, Illinois?

About 17.5% of people in Perry County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Perry County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Perry County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 467 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 302Census Tract 306Census Tract 301Census Tract 305Census Tract 303Census Tract 304
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 62832ZIP 62274ZIP 62237ZIP 62888ZIP 62997ZIP 62238
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →