City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Carbondale, IL

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

21,813
Residents
$29,670
Median income
$124,800
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Carbondale - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Carbondale places in the 2nd percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

2nd
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Carbondale, IL

Illinois's Carbondale is a small city, with 21,813 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $29,670 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.6%. Home values in Carbondale run a median of $124,800, and the median resident age is 24.9 years. About 46.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 49.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 50% from five years earlier. Carbondale's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4689.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $916 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Illinois's average monthly utility costs around $240 (state average). Commute times here average 13.5 minutes, with 64.0% driving alone and 9.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 87.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

21,813 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$29,670 /yr

Poverty 20.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Carbondale compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 2% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Illinois, Carbondale ranks #445 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Carbondale's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

2ndIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

2nd percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carbondale's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carbondale's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 31 Avg. percentile National median
Carbondale's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Carbondale's home value compares nationally

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

$124,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Carbondale $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 - Carbondale, IL Carbondale, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL median $29,670/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%
Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 46.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.3%

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

Population
21,813
Median Income
$29,670
Median Home Value
$124,800
Median Age
24.9
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Labor force participation
49.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
46.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4689.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1004.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3684.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,600 residents21,800 residents22,000 residents22,200 residents22,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 22,285 residents 21,811 residents ▼ -2.1%
Carbondale's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 4
2021 4
2022 3
2023 2
2024 2

Permit volume decreased 50% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.5 minutes
Drive Alone
64.0%
Carpool
10.1%
Public Transit
2.6%
Walk
10.2%
Work from Home
9.9%
Other
3.2%

Based on 8,773 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 Carbondale 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
87.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Darien
21,855 people
Geneva
21,299 people
Yorkville
22,350 people
Bloomingdale
22,388 people
Montgomery
21,205 people
Villa Park
22,456 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carbondale's 21,813 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Pascagoula, MS
21,812 people
Suwanee, GA
21,811 people
Merrick, NY
21,816 people
Massapequa, NY
21,822 people
Rio Rico, AZ
21,798 people
Woodlawn CDP (Fairfax County), VA
21,828 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carbondale's $29,670 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marshall, AR
$29,688 median income
Hardin, KY
$29,688 median income
Benton Harbor, MI
$29,652 median income
Spavinaw, OK
$29,688 median income
Cairo, WV
$29,650 median income
Lake Bruce, IN
$29,643 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 57.6% 27.8% 6.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 57.6% Black or African American 27.8% Asian 6.7% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 5.3% 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 Carbondale 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
Carbondale (this city) 21,813 $29,670
Darien 21,855 $109,354
Geneva 21,299 $136,621
Yorkville 22,350 $108,775
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carbondale, IL?

What is the population of Carbondale, IL? +

21,813 people live in Carbondale, IL according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Carbondale, the typical household earns $29,670 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carbondale? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carbondale; 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.

Is Carbondale, IL safe? +

Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4689.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

Homes in Carbondale carry a median value of $124,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.