County · Illinois
Hamilton County, Illinois
Hamilton County, Illinois. Hamilton County had 7,859 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 17 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 towns and townships) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 17065.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,859
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,993 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,916
Median household income
$65,746
±$6,413 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$113,700
±$12,488 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$568
±$54 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Hamilton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,993 residents in Hamilton County. The Census Bureau estimates 7,859 for July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,916 over 435 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,916 | 12,694,798 | −260 |
| Households | 3,387±138 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.09 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,803±18 | 5,457,452 | −304 |
Hamilton County's population since 2000
From 8,621 in 2000 to 7,859 in 2025: down 8.8%. 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 Hamilton County?
Hamilton County holds 17 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is McLeansboro Township with 3,611 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| McLeansboro Township | 3,650 | $52,809 |
|---|---|---|
| McLeansboro | 2,675 | $45,422 |
| Dahlgren Township | 1,137 | $66,641 |
| Knight Prairie TownshipGEOID 1706540299 | 545 | $94,500 |
| Dahlgren | 504 | $44,861 |
| Twigg TownshipGEOID 1706576472 | 488 | $97,955 |
| Mayberry TownshipGEOID 1706547657 | 450 | $106,806 |
| Crouch TownshipGEOID 1706517809 | 386 | $129,561 |
| Crook TownshipGEOID 1706517627 | 293 | $81,938 |
| Flannigan TownshipGEOID 1706526324 | 291 | not published |
| Beaver Creek TownshipGEOID 1706504481 | 274 | not published |
| South Crouch TownshipGEOID 1706570655 | 202 | not published |
| BroughtonGEOID 1708875 | 185 | $54,375 |
| South Flannigan TownshipGEOID 1706570785 | 148 | $73,333 |
| South Twigg TownshipGEOID 1706571305 | 129 | $95,625 |
| Belle Prairie CityGEOID 1704793 | 49 | $76,071 |
| MacedoniaGEOID 1745642 | 30 | 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 Hamilton County?
The median resident of Hamilton County is 43.9 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 22.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.2%.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9±1.3 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.9%±0.5 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 18.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.7%±0.7 pts | 58.1% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±1.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±2.1 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 19.2%±2.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±2.9 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±2.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.0%±3.9 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±2.7 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±1.2 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 Hamilton County earn?
Half of Hamilton County's 3,387 households earn less than $65,746 a year (±$6,413), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $66,514 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,746±$6,413 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,896±$15,715 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,790±$6,942 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±3.6 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.7%±7.9 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.2%±4.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.7%±4.5 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 Hamilton County?
Owners occupy 76.4% of Hamilton County's occupied homes and renters 23.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,700 by its owner (±$12,488). The median renter pays $568 a month including utilities, and 19.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $113,700±$12,488 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $568±$54 | $1,274 | −$181 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 19.0%±11.1 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$96 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.4%±4.6 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,803±18 | 5,457,452 | −304 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±2.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0%±4.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.7%±4.0 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 16.4%±3.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.1%±3.8 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 do people in Hamilton County get to work?
89.7% of Hamilton County's workers drive alone and 2.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Hamilton County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7%±3.4 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1%±2.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 89.7%±4.1 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.1%±3.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±1.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 15.9% | −6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 min±2.3 | 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 Hamilton County's census tracts?
Hamilton County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,981 (Tract 9731) to $89,500 (Tract 9732).
| Tract 973117065973100 | 3,060±164 | $46,981 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 973217065973200 | 2,143±245 | $89,500 |
| Tract 973317065973300 | 2,713±219 | $75,949 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hamilton County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 89th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 96th of 102 |
| Median household income | 60th of 102 |
| Median home value | 72nd of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 99th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 102 |
| Median age | 29th 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 Hamilton 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.