County · Illinois
Alexander County, Illinois
Alexander County, Illinois. Alexander County had 4,570 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 12.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 7 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 17003.
Alexander County is one of the 3 counties of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
4,570
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,240 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,875
Median household income
$47,043
±$5,354 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$59,800
±$7,126 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$656
±$155 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Alexander County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,240 residents in Alexander County. The Census Bureau estimates 4,570 for July 1, 2025, down 12.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 4,875 over 235 square miles of land.
| Measure | Alexander County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,875 | 12,694,798 | −1,385 |
| Households | 1,904±119 | 5,036,449 | −250 |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.15 | 2.46 | −0.35 |
| Housing units | 2,938±16 | 5,457,452 | −1,033 |
Alexander County's population since 2000
From 9,590 in 2000 to 4,570 in 2025: down 52.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Alexander County?
Alexander County holds 7 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Cairo with 1,515 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cairo | 1,733 | $41,912 |
|---|---|---|
| Olive BranchGEOID 1755847 | 650 | not published |
| Tamms | 430 | $50,046 |
| East Cape Girardeau | 289 | $42,188 |
| McClureGEOID 1745525 | 256 | $75,385 |
| ThebesGEOID 1774873 | 208 | $40,917 |
| UnityGEOID 1776875 | 98 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Alexander County?
The median resident of Alexander County is 48.0 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 24.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 62.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 32.9%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Alexander County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.0±1.5 | 39.0 | +2.7 |
| Under 18 years | 21.3%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.9%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 18.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 62.9%±0.4 pts | 58.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 32.9%±1.3 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±1.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±1.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 23.8%±3.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.5%±2.6 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.4%±2.5 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.6%±2.6 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±1.5 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±1.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 Alexander County earn?
Half of Alexander County's 1,904 households earn less than $47,043 a year (±$5,354), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $45,297 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Alexander County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,043±$5,354 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,282±$6,231 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,379±$2,230 | $46,406 | +$5,357 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.0%±4.7 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.6%±12.5 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.8%±5.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 61.9%±5.2 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Alexander County?
Owners occupy 77.6% of Alexander County's occupied homes and renters 22.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $59,800 by its owner (±$7,126). The median renter pays $656 a month including utilities, and 18.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Alexander County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $59,800±$7,126 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $656±$155 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 18.0%±11.1 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,257±$95 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.6%±4.7 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,938±16 | 5,457,452 | −1,033 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.4%±2.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 13.7%±10.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.7%±3.1 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.2%±3.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±1.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.0%±4.2 pts | 20.2% | – |
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 Alexander County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Alexander County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Alexander County get to work?
87.4% of Alexander County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.
| Measure | Alexander County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.1%±3.1 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5%±3.1 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 87.4%±4.0 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.6%±2.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±2.8 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.6 min±3.7 | 27.8 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 are Alexander County's census tracts?
Alexander County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,021 (Tract 9579) to $62,639 (Tract 9577).
| Tract 957617003957600 | 1,769±212 | $54,875 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 957717003957700 | 1,341±198 | $62,639 |
| Tract 957817003957800 | 1,036±155 | $44,932 |
| Tract 957917003957900 | 729±177 | $27,021 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Alexander County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 98th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 102nd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 88th of 102 |
| Median household income | 101st of 102 |
| Median home value | 102nd of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 95th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 101st of 102 |
| Median age | 7th of 102 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Alexander County 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' school search.