City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Beardstown, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Beardstown - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

6,047
Residents
$58,765
Median income
$80,800
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Beardstown - the verdict

Beardstown ranks in the 33rd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

33rd
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Beardstown, IL

6,047 people live in Beardstown, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $58,765 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.7%. Typical homes in Beardstown are valued around $80,800, and the median resident age is 31.7 years. 17.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $916 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $240 across Illinois, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 19.3 minutes, with 75.4% driving alone and 1.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 38.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

6,047 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$58,765 /yr

Poverty 11.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Beardstown compare to other US cities?

Beardstown measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Beardstown against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Illinois only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Illinois-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Beardstown near the bottom of Illinois's cities

Among the 1,336 Illinois cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Beardstown ranks #935 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Beardstown only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#863 of 1,311
34th percentile in Illinois
Median Gross Rent
#935 of 1,336
0th percentile in Illinois
Median Home Value
#1,056 of 1,315
19th percentile in Illinois
Poverty Rate
#374 of 1,335
72nd percentile in Illinois
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#706 of 1,336
46th percentile in Illinois

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Illinois only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

33rdIncome percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Beardstown's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$80,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Beardstown $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Beardstown, IL Beardstown, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Beardstown, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Beardstown, IL median $58,765/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Beardstown, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Beardstown, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
6,047
Median Income
$58,765
Median Home Value
$80,800
Median Age
31.7
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor force participation
57.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.4%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,600 residents5,700 residents5,800 residents5,900 residents6,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,922 residents 5,691 residents ▼ -3.9%
Beardstown's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 4
2021 1
2022 0
2023 1
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.3 minutes
Drive Alone
75.4%
Carpool
19.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
1.3%
Other
2.6%

Based on 2,481 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Beardstown sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$916/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
38.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Vandalia
6,041 people
Elburn
6,054 people
Mount Zion
6,076 people
Pontoon Beach
6,131 people
Braidwood
6,175 people
Chillicothe
6,185 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Beardstown's 6,047 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gardiner, ME
6,047 people
Happy Valley, CA
6,046 people
The Village of Indian Hill, OH
6,048 people
Cheshire, CT
6,049 people
Swannanoa, NC
6,043 people
Schriever, LA
6,052 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Beardstown's $58,765 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Opelika, AL
$58,763 median income
Hondo, TX
$58,773 median income
Dodge City, AL
$58,750 median income
Emmet, AR
$58,750 median income
Horseshoe Lake, AR
$58,750 median income
Mechanicsville, CT
$58,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Beardstown, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Beardstown, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.6% 7.5% 15.7% 14.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 39.2% White 58.6% Black or African American 7.5% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 1.2% Some other race 15.7% Two or more races 14.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Beardstown compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Beardstown (this city) 6,047 $58,765
Vandalia 6,041 $43,184
Elburn 6,054 $106,506
Mount Zion 6,076 $110,786
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Beardstown, IL?

What is the population of Beardstown, IL? +

Beardstown, IL counts 6,047 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Beardstown, IL? +

In Beardstown, the typical household earns $58,765 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Beardstown? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Beardstown; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Beardstown, IL? +

A typical home in Beardstown is worth $80,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.