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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Stephenson County

Illinois · 44,630 residents · 564.247 sq mi
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The short version

Stephenson County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $50,466. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $99,600. With a median age of 45.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 26% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 18%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,630
−9%since 2000
from 48,979 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
79 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 87 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.9
+19%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
43K45K46K48K50K1990201020202024Stephenson County
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,466
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,366 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,893
+46%since 2000
from $19,794 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.2%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.9%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.4%
US avg: 10%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$99,600
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$671
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $433 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.4%
−4.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
29.6% rent
Afford Score
2.0
−1%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Stephenson County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic88.6%(43,404)
Black7.6%(3,732)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(747)
Asian0.7%(332)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.9%(11,224)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(35,405)
Black9.8%(4,374)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(2,254)
Asian0.7%(306)
Other3.7%(1,644)
Diversity Score42.3%(18,860)
Segregation Score51.1%(22,800)
Diversity Score
42
+84%since 2000
from 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
51
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+66%since 2000
from 13.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.3%
−29.8 ptssince 2009
from 62.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.1%
−84.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Stephenson County

Latah County
Pop 41,842
Chilton County
Pop 47,708
Thomas County
Pop 46,368
Graham County
Pop 40,157
Places similar to Stephenson County
Head to head

Compare Stephenson County to nearby counties

STEPHENSON COUNTY VS
Green County
Income$82,852+64%
Home value$250,200+151%
Population37,227−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEPHENSON COUNTY VS
Carroll County
Income$60,758+20%
Home value$114,500+15%
Population15,419−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEPHENSON COUNTY VS
Winnebago County
Income$65,837+30%
Home value$164,500+65%
Population283,674+556%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
STEPHENSON COUNTY VS
Ogle County
Income$82,132+63%
Home value$189,200+90%
Population51,399+19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Stephenson County, Illinois?

Stephenson County, Illinois has about 44,630 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Stephenson County, Illinois earns about $50,466 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Stephenson County, Illinois expensive?

In Stephenson County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $99,600, and the typical rent is about $671 a month.

How educated are people in Stephenson County, Illinois?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Stephenson County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Stephenson County, Illinois?

About 14.9% of people in Stephenson County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Stephenson County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Stephenson County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,422 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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13 census tracts
Census Tract 1Census Tract 10Census Tract 9Census Tract 12Census Tract 3Census Tract 13Census Tract 8Census Tract 11Census Tract 2Census Tract 5Census Tract 6Census Tract 4Census Tract 7
14 ZIP codes
ZIP 61032ZIP 61048ZIP 61019ZIP 61062ZIP 61060ZIP 61070ZIP 61018ZIP 61039ZIP 61013ZIP 61089ZIP 61067ZIP 61044ZIP 61050ZIP 61027
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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