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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Pope County

Illinois · 3,763 residents · 368.867 sq mi
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The short version

Pope County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,140. Population has declined 15% since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $114,600. With a median age of 52.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 37% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 52.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,763
−15%since 2000
from 4,413 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
10 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 12 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.5
+28%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Pope County
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,140
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,048 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,690
+38%since 2000
from $16,440 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.0%
+16.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
21.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 10%
Construction6.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services4.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing1.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,600
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$325
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $257 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
18.2% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+33%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pope County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93%(4,104)
Black3.6%(158)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(40)
Asian0.3%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score11.7%(516)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.8%(3,491)
Black1%(38)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(71)
Asian0.4%(16)
Other1%(38)
Diversity Score10.8%(407)
Segregation Score20.7%(780)
Diversity Score
11
−8%since 2000
from 12 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
21
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.5%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.8%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.5 min
+45%since 2000
from 22.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.0%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 77.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
33.9%
−18.0 ptssince 2011
from 51.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.5%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 55.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.2%
−88.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Pope County

Echols County
Pop 3,685
Smith County
Pop 3,566
Barber County
Pop 4,083
Hickman County
Pop 4,372
Places similar to Pope County
Head to head

Compare Pope County to nearby counties

POPE COUNTY VS
Massac County
Income$65,116+51%
Home value$121,900+6%
Population13,502+268%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POPE COUNTY VS
Hardin County
Income$54,271+26%
Home value$103,800−9%
Population3,588−2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POPE COUNTY VS
Livingston County
Income$58,984+37%
Home value$125,600+10%
Population8,863+141%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POPE COUNTY VS
Johnson County
Income$62,528+45%
Home value$160,500+40%
Population13,363+264%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pope County, Illinois?

Pope County, Illinois has about 3,763 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Pope County, Illinois earns about $43,140 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pope County, Illinois expensive?

In Pope County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $114,600, and the typical rent is about $325 a month.

How educated are people in Pope County, Illinois?

About 16.5% of adults age 25 and over in Pope County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Pope County, Illinois?

About 21.4% of people in Pope County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pope County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Pope County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 610 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

2 census tracts
Census Tract 9712Census Tract 9713
5 ZIP codes
ZIP 62938ZIP 62987ZIP 62985ZIP 62947ZIP 62928
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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