City · Illinois
Arcola, Illinois
Arcola, city, in Douglas County, Illinois. Arcola had 2,928 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,927 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,892 (±158). GEOID 1701881.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,928
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,927 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,892 ±158
Median household income
$89,827
±$7,093 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$124,100
±$11,658 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$803
±$241 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Arcola and what county is it in?
Arcola is a city in Douglas County, Illinois. It covers 2.0 square miles of land, 1,447 residents per square mile in 2020.
Arcola lies entirely within Arcola Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Arcola, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,928 people lived in Arcola on July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, a smaller fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 2,927 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,892 (±158).
| Measure | Arcola | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,892 ±158 | 19,751 | no clear change |
| Households | 969 ±78 | 7,765 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.85 ±0.19 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,042 ±88 | 8,507 | no clear change |
Arcola's population since 2000
From 2,652 in 2000 to 2,928 in 2025: up 10.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Arcola as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Arcola?
The median resident of Arcola is 36.4 years old; 27.4% are under 18 and 13.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 52.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 44.3%. 16.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Arcola | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4 ±2.1 | 38.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.4% ±2.6 pts | 24.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.9% ±3.0 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Male | 51.5% ±4.4 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 44.3% ±4.0 pts | 8.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 52.9% ±4.1 pts | 87.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 16.9% ±3.8 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 41.2% ±5.5 pts | 19.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±2.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5% ±3.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3% ±4.4 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.6% ±5.0 pts | 87.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9% ±4.8 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.0% ±3.3 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.9% ±2.7 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6% ±1.0 pts | 0.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Arcola earn?
Half of Arcola's 969 households earn less than $89,827 a year (±$7,093), against $77,320 in Douglas County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,208 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $31,619 after inflation. 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Arcola | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $89,827 ±$7,093 | $77,320 | +$31,619 |
| Mean household income | $93,491 ±$8,198 | $92,377 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,486 ±$2,463 | $36,634 | +$7,039 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.6% ±4.2 pts | 8.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.8% ±8.7 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.9% ±4.6 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.2% ±3.7 pts | 89.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.3% ±5.5 pts | 82.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Arcola?
Owners occupy 74.7% of Arcola's occupied homes and renters 25.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $124,100 by its owner (±$11,658). The median renter pays $803 a month including utilities, and 30.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Arcola | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $124,100 ±$11,658 | $150,400 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $803 ±$241 | $848 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.8% ±16.9 pts | 28.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,181 ±$76 | $1,305 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.7% ±7.5 pts | 76.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 25.3% ±7.5 pts | 23.1% | – |
| Housing units | 1,042 ±88 | 8,507 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±13.4 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 82.6% ±6.5 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8% ±3.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.9% ±5.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.3% ±6.0 pts | 25.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.2% ±4.2 pts | 10.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Arcola building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units in Arcola in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 2.4 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Arcola work and get to work?
78.1% of Arcola's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Arcola | Douglas County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.4% ±5.1 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% ±3.0 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.1% ±6.5 pts | 74.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.3% ±6.1 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±1.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3% ±2.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.9 min ±1.7 | 20.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Arcola?
1 census tract lies mostly in Arcola (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9524Douglas County | 3,520 | $87,923 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Arcola) · Census block assignment files
How does Arcola compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Arcola is the 6,417th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 417th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Arcola ranks 480th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 417th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 291st | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 454th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 480th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 1,038th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 989th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 960th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 599th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 840th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 1,171st | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 842nd | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 943rd | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 1,366th | 1,382 |
Arcola's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Arcola with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Arcola?
14 of the 57 figures for Arcola on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Arcola are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Arcola.