County · Illinois
Massac County, Illinois
Massac County, Illinois. Massac County had 13,502 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 17127.
Massac County is one of the 5 counties of the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,502
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,169 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,865
Median household income
$65,116
±$7,385 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$121,900
±$16,593 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$756
±$61 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Massac County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,169 residents in Massac County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,502 for July 1, 2025, down 4.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,865 over 237 square miles of land.
| Measure | Massac County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,865 | 12,694,798 | −354 |
| Households | 5,457±229 | 5,036,449 | −365 |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.10 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,822±24 | 5,457,452 | −277 |
Massac County's population since 2000
From 15,161 in 2000 to 13,502 in 2025: down 10.9%. 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 Massac County?
Massac County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Metropolis with 5,727 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Metropolis | 5,969 | $50,399 |
|---|---|---|
| Brookport | 725 | $38,000 |
| JoppaGEOID 1738674 | 350 | $41,563 |
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 Massac County?
The median resident of Massac County is 44.7 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 22.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.3%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 6.4%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Massac County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7±0.6 | 39.0 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 21.3%±0.6 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.0%±0.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 18.8% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.3%±0.8 pts | 58.1% | −1.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.4%±0.8 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±1.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 17.6%±2.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8%±2.1 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7%±1.8 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.0%±2.4 pts | 37.8% | +3.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.6%±1.3 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.0%±1.6 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 Massac County earn?
Half of Massac County's 5,457 households earn less than $65,116 a year (±$7,385), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $58,435 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Massac County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,116±$7,385 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,960±$4,989 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,040±$1,860 | $46,406 | +$3,071 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.3%±3.0 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.2%±8.0 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.1%±3.4 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.8%±3.6 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 Massac County?
Owners occupy 76.4% of Massac County's occupied homes and renters 23.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,900 by its owner (±$16,593). The median renter pays $756 a month including utilities, and 32.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Massac County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $121,900±$16,593 | $263,300 | +$19,014 |
| Median gross rent | $756±$61 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.7%±11.6 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,318±$76 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.4%±3.6 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,822±24 | 5,457,452 | −277 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±2.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±4.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.9%±3.5 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.4%±3.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.0%±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 Massac County building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units across Massac County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.6 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 Massac County get to work?
85.3% of Massac County's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Massac County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.6%±2.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.7 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.3%±3.5 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.5%±2.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3%±1.9 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min±1.4 | 27.8 min | −2.7 min |
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 Massac County's census tracts?
Massac County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,846 (Tract 9704) to $76,414 (Tract 9701).
| Tract 970117127970100 | 4,486±343 | $76,414 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970217127970200 | 3,542±311 | $53,582 |
| Tract 970317127970300 | 3,552±345 | $75,245 |
| Tract 970417127970400 | 2,285±320 | $47,846 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Massac County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 75th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 93rd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 41st of 102 |
| Median household income | 62nd of 102 |
| Median home value | 67th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 80th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 18th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 88th of 102 |
| Median age | 18th 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 Massac 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.