City · Illinois
Lincoln, Illinois
Lincoln, city, in Logan County, Illinois. Lincoln had 12,981 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,288 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,281 (±265). GEOID 1743536.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,981
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,288 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,281 ±265
Median household income
$57,340
±$2,729 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$124,300
±$11,261 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$828
±$19 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Lincoln and what county is it in?
Lincoln is a city in Logan County, Illinois. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 2,127 residents per square mile in 2020.
Lincoln is in the Lincoln, IL micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Lincoln lies mostly within East Lincoln Township and reaches into West Lincoln Township, towns or townships with their 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 Lincoln, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,981 people lived in Lincoln on July 1, 2025, down 2.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 13,288 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,281 (±265).
| Measure | Lincoln | Logan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,281 ±265 | 27,713 | −371 |
| Households | 6,102 ±188 | 11,266 | +416 |
| Average household size | 2.01 ±0.06 | 2.16 | −0.18 |
| Housing units | 6,357 ±159 | 11,967 | no clear change |
Lincoln's population since 2000
From 15,369 in 2000 to 12,981 in 2025: down 15.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lincoln 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 Lincoln?
The median resident of Lincoln is 39.2 years old; 18.6% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 4.8%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lincoln | Logan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2 ±2.1 | 41.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.6% ±1.4 pts | 19.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2% ±1.6 pts | 19.5% | – |
| Male | 50.9% ±1.7 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% ±1.1 pts | 3.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.8% ±1.7 pts | 85.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±1.7 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±1.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4% ±0.7 pts | 1.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4% ±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±1.5 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4% ±2.1 pts | 14.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.3% ±1.1 pts | 2.6% | −1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.0% ±1.7 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.3% ±2.6 pts | 20.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.3% ±2.0 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.8% ±3.5 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0% ±1.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 Lincoln earn?
Half of Lincoln's 6,102 households earn less than $57,340 a year (±$2,729), against $66,358 in Logan County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $60,219 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lincoln | Logan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,340 ±$2,729 | $66,358 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,977 ±$5,633 | $84,267 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,380 ±$2,607 | $35,126 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0% ±3.3 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.7% ±8.7 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.6% ±3.5 pts | 18.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.4% ±1.7 pts | 94.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6% ±2.3 pts | 89.5% | – |
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 Lincoln?
Owners occupy 56.9% of Lincoln's occupied homes and renters 43.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $124,300 by its owner (±$11,261). The median renter pays $828 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lincoln | Logan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $124,300 ±$11,261 | $134,400 | +$15,630 |
| Median gross rent | $828 ±$19 | $829 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4% ±7.9 pts | 35.7% | +13.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,152 ±$58 | $1,227 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.9% ±4.6 pts | 68.5% | −7.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.1% ±4.6 pts | 31.5% | – |
| Housing units | 6,357 ±159 | 11,967 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.3% ±3.9 pts | 81.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% ±2.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.8% ±3.6 pts | 27.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.8% ±2.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
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 Lincoln building?
Builders took permits for 59 new housing units in Lincoln in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 4.5 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 Lincoln work and get to work?
78.9% of Lincoln's workers drive alone and 6.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Lincoln | Logan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.7% ±2.7 pts | 54.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% ±1.5 pts | 4.0% | −5.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.9% ±4.2 pts | 79.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.2% ±2.9 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 3.0% ±1.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.9% ±2.2 pts | 8.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.2 min ±2.1 | 21.0 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 Lincoln?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Lincoln, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $55,426 (Tract 9533) to $67,316 (Tract 9534).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9534Logan County | 3,837 | $67,316 |
| Tract 9531Logan County | 3,406 | $62,647 |
| Tract 9532Logan County | 3,370 | $55,589 |
| Tract 9533Logan County | 3,176 | $55,426 |
| Tract 9529Logan County | 3,341 | $81,667 |
| Tract 9535Logan County | 4,956 | $100,363 |
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 Lincoln) · Census block assignment files
How does Lincoln compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lincoln is the 2,673rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 187th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Lincoln ranks 1,157th 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 | 187th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 775th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 251st | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 1,157th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 981st | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 988th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 901st | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 210th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 872nd | 1,369 |
| Median age | 908th | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,313th | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 838th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 1,236th | 1,382 |
Lincoln's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Lincoln 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 Lincoln?
8 of the 57 figures for Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln.