County · Illinois
Brown County, Illinois
Brown County, Illinois. Brown County had 6,401 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020, while Illinois shrank 0.8%. It holds 13 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 17009.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,401
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,244 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,322
Median household income
$67,917
±$7,581 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$150,300
±$16,538 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$698
±$227 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Brown County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,244 residents in Brown County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,401 for July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, while Illinois shrank 0.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,322 over 306 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brown County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,322 | 12,694,798 | −306 |
| Households | 2,041±98 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.15±0.10 | 2.46 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 2,321±32 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
Brown County's population since 2000
From 6,950 in 2000 to 6,401 in 2025: down 7.9%. 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 Brown County?
Brown County holds 13 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Mount Sterling Township with 4,448 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Mount Sterling Township | 4,297 | $65,481 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Sterling | 2,006 | $59,087 |
| Versailles Township | 656 | $73,333 |
| VersaillesGEOID 1777720 | 446 | $48,750 |
| Elkhorn TownshipGEOID 1700923308 | 290 | $56,419 |
| Cooperstown TownshipGEOID 1700916262 | 264 | $86,154 |
| Lee Township, Brown CountyGEOID 1700942561 | 246 | $54,750 |
| Pea Ridge TownshipGEOID 1700958330 | 163 | not published |
| Missouri TownshipGEOID 1700949685 | 156 | $85,500 |
| Mound StationGEOID 1750790 | 117 | $76,375 |
| Buckhorn TownshipGEOID 1700909291 | 102 | $143,150 |
| Ripley TownshipGEOID 1700964187 | 70 | $51,250 |
| RipleyGEOID 1764174 | 53 | 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 Brown County?
The median resident of Brown County is 41.0 years old; 16.8% are under 18 and 16.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 17.8%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brown County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0±1.5 | 39.0 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 16.8% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.3%±0.7 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.7%±1.3 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.1%±0.6 pts | 58.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 17.8%±1.4 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.0%±1.7 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±3.5 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 76.7%±3.5 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.6%±3.1 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.8%±1.2 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±1.0 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 Brown County earn?
Half of Brown County's 2,041 households earn less than $67,917 a year (±$7,581), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $75,878 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brown County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,917±$7,581 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,732±$9,169 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,202±$2,405 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±2.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.3%±5.4 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.1%±4.0 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.6%±4.6 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 Brown County?
Owners occupy 71.8% of Brown County's occupied homes and renters 28.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $150,300 by its owner (±$16,538). The median renter pays $698 a month including utilities, and 24.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brown County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $150,300±$16,538 | $263,300 | +$31,907 |
| Median gross rent | $698±$227 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.8%±13.4 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,147±$124 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8%±5.5 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,321±32 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6%±5.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.1%±4.4 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.0%±2.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.1%±6.4 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 Brown County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Brown County in 2025 (7 single-family), 1.1 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 Brown County get to work?
80.8% of Brown County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.9 minutes.
| Measure | Brown County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.4%±3.1 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±2.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±6.1 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±2.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±2.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±4.0 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.9 min±1.7 | 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 Brown County's census tracts?
Brown County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $61,806 (Tract 9705) to $75,524 (Tract 9704).
| Tract 970417009970400 | 2,291±159 | $75,524 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970517009970500 | 4,031±159 | $61,806 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brown County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 91st of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 92nd of 102 |
| Median household income | 47th of 102 |
| Median home value | 40th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 91st of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 77th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 101st of 102 |
| Median age | 70th 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 Brown 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.