City · Illinois
Golconda, Illinois
Golconda, city, in Pope County, Illinois. Golconda had 618 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 630 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 691 (±178). GEOID 1730133.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
618
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 630 · ACS 2020-2024: 691 ±178
Median household income
$41,875
±$16,192 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$69,300
±$22,564 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$393
±$118 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Golconda and what county is it in?
Golconda is a city in Pope County, Illinois. It covers 0.5 square miles of land, 1,235 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Golconda, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 618 people lived in Golconda on July 1, 2025, down 3.0% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 630 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 691 (±178).
| Measure | Golconda | Pope County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 691 ±178 | 3,739 | no clear change |
| Households | 247 ±58 | 1,385 | −98 |
| Average household size | 2.44 ±0.47 | 2.59 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 348 ±73 | 2,225 | −106 |
Golconda's population since 2000
From 726 in 2000 to 618 in 2025: down 14.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Golconda 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 Golconda?
The median resident of Golconda is 58.7 years old; 6.2% are under 18 and 32.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.3%.
| Measure | Golconda | Pope County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 58.7 ±1.4 | 53.9 | +7.1 |
| Under 18 years | 6.2% ±3.9 pts | 14.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 32.6% ±11.4 pts | 29.0% | – |
| Male | 55.3% ±9.2 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% ±2.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.7% ±9.6 pts | 88.7% | −14.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.3% ±9.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±2.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±4.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.6% ±1.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9% ±4.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 30.5% ±10.4 pts | 24.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.7% ±2.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.1% ±10.0 pts | 92.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.6% ±8.6 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.4% ±5.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 69.8% ±13.6 pts | 87.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 22.4% ±14.7 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 Golconda earn?
Half of Golconda's 247 households earn less than $41,875 a year (±$16,192), against $60,050 in Pope County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $32,904 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Golconda | Pope County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,875 ±$16,192 | $60,050 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $65,433 ±$20,613 | $76,225 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,285 ±$7,368 | $31,967 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.3% ±10.3 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 41.9% ±29.8 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.7% ±10.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 85.0% ±9.7 pts | 83.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 74.1% ±10.7 pts | 74.9% | – |
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 Golconda?
Owners occupy 62.3% of Golconda's occupied homes and renters 37.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $69,300 by its owner (±$22,564). The median renter pays $393 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Golconda | Pope County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $69,300 ±$22,564 | $143,800 | −$39,247 |
| Median gross rent | $393 ±$118 | $449 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.0% ±16.1 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,145 ±$178 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.3% ±11.7 pts | 86.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 37.7% ±11.7 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Housing units | 348 ±73 | 2,225 | −106 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.0% ±7.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.9% ±11.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.8% ±8.7 pts | 77.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.6% ±5.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±10.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.7% ±3.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 52.0% ±11.1 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 15.8% ±9.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
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 Golconda building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Golconda in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 1.6 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 Golconda work and get to work?
84.5% of Golconda's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes.
| Measure | Golconda | Pope County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 28.7% ±8.2 pts | 42.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.7% ±8.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 84.5% ±11.6 pts | 80.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.0% ±6.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±20.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 1.9% ±5.8 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7% ±7.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min ±5.8 | 29.3 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 Golconda?
No census tract lies mostly in Golconda; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9713Pope County | 1,748 | $57,024 |
| Tract 9712Pope County | 1,991 | $63,516 |
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 Golconda) · Census block assignment files
How does Golconda compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Golconda is the 12,347th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 791st-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Golconda is not ranked by income or the other survey measures: those rankings include places of 1,000 or more residents (2020 Census) with a reliable estimate.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 791st | 1,294 |
Golconda's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Golconda 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 Golconda?
22 of the 57 figures for Golconda 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 Golconda 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 Golconda.