County · Illinois
Hardin County, Illinois
Hardin County, Illinois. Hardin County had 3,588 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 17069.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,588
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,649 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,605
Median household income
$54,271
±$12,264 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$103,800
±$24,115 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$379
±$116 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Hardin County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 3,649 residents in Hardin County. The Census Bureau estimates 3,588 for July 1, 2025, down 1.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 3,605 over 177 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hardin County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,605 | 12,694,798 | −334 |
| Households | 1,545±113 | 5,036,449 | +182 |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.17 | 2.46 | −0.55 |
| Housing units | 2,337±95 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
Hardin County's population since 2000
From 4,800 in 2000 to 3,588 in 2025: down 25.3%. 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 Hardin County?
Hardin County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Rosiclare with 977 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Rosiclare | 980 | $43,725 |
|---|---|---|
| Cave-In-Rock | 228 | $29,250 |
| ElizabethtownGEOID 1723191 | 220 | $23,077 |
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 Hardin County?
The median resident of Hardin County is 53.6 years old; 14.8% are under 18 and 29.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.7%.
| Measure | Hardin County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.6±1.2 | 39.0 | +6.8 |
| Under 18 years | 14.8%±2.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 29.8%±3.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9%±1.1 pts | 18.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.7%±1.6 pts | 58.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.3%±0.8 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±2.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 27.4%±4.3 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.7%±1.7 pts | 6.9% | −4.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9%±2.5 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.3%±3.8 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±2.5 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.2%±3.0 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 Hardin County earn?
Half of Hardin County's 1,545 households earn less than $54,271 a year (±$12,264), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $63,073 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hardin County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,271±$12,264 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $64,030±$6,897 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,650±$3,025 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.0%±3.3 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.8%±9.4 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.5%±6.1 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.6%±6.9 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 Hardin County?
Owners occupy 79.5% of Hardin County's occupied homes and renters 20.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $103,800 by its owner (±$24,115). The median renter pays $379 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Hardin County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $103,800±$24,115 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $379±$116 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 5.9%±4.9 pts | 39.0% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,089±$64 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.5%±6.1 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,337±95 | 5,457,452 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.7%±7.1 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.8%±5.8 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.2%±4.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.3%±4.7 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 Hardin County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Hardin 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 Hardin County get to work?
81.5% of Hardin County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 28.2 minutes.
| Measure | Hardin County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.1%±3.9 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8%±2.0 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 81.5%±6.5 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±5.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.3%±1.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.6%±3.2 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.2%±2.4 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.2 min±3.8 | 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 Hardin County's census tracts?
Hardin County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,917 (Tract 9709) to $55,536 (Tract 9710).
| Tract 970917069970900 | 1,754±233 | $52,917 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 971017069971000 | 1,851±233 | $55,536 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hardin County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 102nd of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 45th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 91st of 102 |
| Median household income | 97th of 102 |
| Median home value | 86th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 102nd of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 68th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 98th of 102 |
| Median age | 2nd 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 Hardin 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.