County · Illinois
Jersey County, Illinois
Jersey County, Illinois. Jersey County had 21,160 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 19 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 towns and townships) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 17083.
Jersey County is one of the 15 counties of the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
21,160
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,512 · ACS 2020-2024: 21,274
Median household income
$80,361
±$7,869 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$171,900
±$12,525 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$846
±$43 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Jersey County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,512 residents in Jersey County. The Census Bureau estimates 21,160 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 21,274 over 370 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jersey County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 21,274 | 12,694,798 | −663 |
| Households | 7,965±313 | 5,036,449 | −534 |
| Average household size | 2.54±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,958±44 | 5,457,452 | −190 |
Jersey County's population since 2000
From 21,668 in 2000 to 21,160 in 2025: down 2.3%. 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 Jersey County?
Jersey County holds 19 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Jersey Township with 10,005 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jersey Township | 9,995 | $74,044 |
|---|---|---|
| Jerseyville | 8,337 | $73,529 |
| Piasa Township | 3,152 | $90,347 |
| Elsah Township | 2,194 | $74,375 |
| Mississippi Township | 1,785 | $84,618 |
| Quarry Township | 1,039 | $73,684 |
| Otter Creek Township, Jersey County | 899 | $63,125 |
| Fidelity TownshipGEOID 1708325973 | 651 | not published |
| Grafton | 626 | $105,417 |
| Richwood Township | 526 | $84,375 |
| Elsah | 519 | $98,125 |
| English TownshipGEOID 1708324231 | 461 | $94,881 |
| Rosedale TownshipGEOID 1708365689 | 415 | not published |
| Ruyle TownshipGEOID 1708366482 | 395 | not published |
| Brighton | 2,221 | $80,214 |
| FieldonGEOID 1726012 | 176 | $61,667 |
| FidelityGEOID 1725960 | 96 | $44,063 |
| OttervilleGEOID 1756978 | 87 | $65,991 |
| MedoraGEOID 1748138 | 379 | $76,750 |
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 Jersey County?
The median resident of Jersey County is 43.7 years old; 19.8% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.4%. 1.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Jersey County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7±1.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.8%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% | 18.8% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.6%±0.2 pts | 58.1% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 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 | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.8%±0.5 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 13.2%±1.8 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.0%±1.7 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1%±1.7 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.6%±2.9 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.8%±1.8 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3%±1.1 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 Jersey County earn?
Half of Jersey County's 7,965 households earn less than $80,361 a year (±$7,869), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $77,568 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jersey County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,361±$7,869 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $98,416±$6,101 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,634±$2,233 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8%±2.4 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.8%±6.0 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.9%±3.0 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.4%±2.9 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 Jersey County?
Owners occupy 80.5% of Jersey County's occupied homes and renters 19.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,900 by its owner (±$12,525). The median renter pays $846 a month including utilities, and 29.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jersey County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,900±$12,525 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $846±$43 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.6%±10.3 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,517±$105 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.5%±3.1 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,958±44 | 5,457,452 | −190 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.3%±2.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±6.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.1%±2.6 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.0%±1.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.0%±2.8 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 many new homes is Jersey County building?
Builders took permits for 39 new housing units across Jersey County in 2025 (39 single-family), 1.8 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 Jersey County get to work?
74.6% of Jersey County's workers drive alone and 11.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Jersey County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6%±2.3 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±1.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.6%±4.5 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±3.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.1%±1.3 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7%±2.4 pts | 15.9% | +8.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 min±2.0 | 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 Jersey County's census tracts?
Jersey County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,368 (Tract 101) to $91,111 (Tract 102).
| Tract 10117083010100 | 5,256±584 | $60,368 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10217083010200 | 3,323±150 | $91,111 |
| Tract 10317083010300 | 3,882±374 | $83,750 |
| Tract 104.0117083010401 | 5,873±590 | $86,823 |
| Tract 104.0217083010402 | 1,629±242 | $71,838 |
| Tract 10517083010500 | 1,311±179 | $74,079 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jersey County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 55th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd of 102 |
| Median household income | 18th of 102 |
| Median home value | 27th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 40th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 85th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40th of 102 |
| Median age | 32nd 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 Jersey 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.