County · Illinois
Menard County, Illinois
Menard County, Illinois. Menard County had 11,863 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 17129.
Menard County is one of the 2 counties of the Springfield, IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,863
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,297 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,095
Median household income
$82,176
±$3,121 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$185,500
±$8,458 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$885
±$166 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Menard County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 12,297 residents in Menard County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,863 for July 1, 2025, down 3.5% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 12,095 over 314 square miles of land.
| Measure | Menard County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,095 | 12,694,798 | −211 |
| Households | 5,228±116 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.05 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,600±25 | 5,457,452 | −130 |
Menard County's population since 2000
From 12,486 in 2000 to 11,863 in 2025: down 5.0%. 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 Menard County?
Menard County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Petersburg with 2,125 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Petersburg | 2,258 | $56,458 |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | 1,977 | $81,192 |
| Greenview | 745 | $63,594 |
| Lake PetersburgGEOID 1741404 | 740 | $144,375 |
| Tallula | 434 | $69,167 |
| Oakford | 234 | $65,000 |
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 Menard County?
The median resident of Menard County is 42.8 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 20.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.8%.
| Measure | Menard County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8±1.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.5 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.8%±0.6 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% | 18.8% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.8%±0.1 pts | 58.1% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 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 | 2.8%±0.4 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1%±2.2 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.0%±1.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.3%±3.1 pts | 37.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.9%±2.1 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2%±0.2 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 Menard County earn?
Half of Menard County's 5,228 households earn less than $82,176 a year (±$3,121), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 the median was $91,913 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $9,737 after inflation. 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Menard County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,176±$3,121 | $83,390 | −$9,737 |
| Mean household income | $97,054±$8,371 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,446±$3,500 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.1%±2.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.3%±5.5 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.5%±2.9 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±2.0 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 Menard County?
Owners occupy 79.5% of Menard County's occupied homes and renters 20.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $185,500 by its owner (±$8,458). The median renter pays $885 a month including utilities, and 40.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Menard County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $185,500±$8,458 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $885±$166 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.7%±8.4 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,461±$65 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.5%±2.9 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,600±25 | 5,457,452 | −130 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±2.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.5%±2.7 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8%±1.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.9%±3.2 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 Menard County building?
Builders took permits for 11 new housing units across Menard County in 2025 (11 single-family), 0.9 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 Menard County get to work?
82.5% of Menard County's workers drive alone and 11.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Menard County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.3%±2.6 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±1.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.5%±3.6 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.3%±2.0 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.0%±2.7 pts | 15.9% | +6.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.1 min±1.5 | 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 Menard County's census tracts?
Menard County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $80,046 (Tract 102) to $90,638 (Tract 103).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Menard County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 83rd of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 76th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th of 102 |
| Median household income | 15th of 102 |
| Median home value | 21st of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 31st of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 73rd of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd of 102 |
| Median age | 46th 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 Menard 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.