County · Illinois
Perry County, Illinois
Perry County, Illinois. Perry County had 20,160 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 17145.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,160
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,945 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,639
Median household income
$62,118
±$5,559 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$112,600
±$6,796 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$728
±$45 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Perry County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,945 residents in Perry County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,160 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,639 over 442 square miles of land.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,639 | 12,694,798 | −612 |
| Households | 7,875±250 | 5,036,449 | −558 |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.07 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,152±47 | 5,457,452 | −458 |
Perry County's population since 2000
From 23,094 in 2000 to 20,160 in 2025: down 12.7%. 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 Perry County?
Perry County holds 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Du Quoin with 5,569 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Du Quoin | 5,827 | $54,409 |
|---|---|---|
| Pinckneyville | 5,066 | $69,583 |
| Willisville | 579 | $55,417 |
| Tamaroa | 544 | $48,646 |
| Cutler | 361 | $65,500 |
| St. JohnsGEOID 1766924 | 163 | $62,500 |
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 Perry County?
The median resident of Perry County is 42.0 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 20.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.6%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±0.9 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.3%±0.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 18.8% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.9%±0.4 pts | 58.1% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.6%±0.9 pts | 13.3% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±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 | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 21.1%±2.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.9%±1.8 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.7%±2.0 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±0.9 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.4 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 Perry County earn?
Half of Perry County's 7,875 households earn less than $62,118 a year (±$5,559), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $64,523 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,118±$5,559 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $79,245±$4,830 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,897±$1,662 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.9%±3.1 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.7%±7.6 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.0%±2.8 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.5%±2.5 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 Perry County?
Owners occupy 80.9% of Perry County's occupied homes and renters 19.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $112,600 by its owner (±$6,796). The median renter pays $728 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $112,600±$6,796 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $728±$45 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6%±11.1 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,124±$64 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.9%±2.7 pts | 67.1% | +5.5 pts |
| Housing units | 9,152±47 | 5,457,452 | −458 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.1%±5.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.1%±2.9 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.0%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 20.0%±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 Perry County building?
Builders took permits for 23 new housing units across Perry County in 2025 (23 single-family), 1.1 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 Perry County get to work?
85.7% of Perry County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.0%±2.0 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6%±2.0 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.7%±2.8 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.3%±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.7 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±1.6 pts | 15.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.3 min±1.4 | 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 Perry County's census tracts?
Perry County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,144 (Tract 304) to $80,385 (Tract 305).
| Tract 30117145030100 | 2,731±322 | $66,419 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30217145030200 | 7,374±415 | $69,939 |
| Tract 30317145030300 | 2,068±285 | $67,337 |
| Tract 30417145030400 | 2,052±321 | $50,144 |
| Tract 30517145030500 | 2,402±300 | $80,385 |
| Tract 30617145030600 | 4,012±380 | $56,831 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Perry County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 57th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 80th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 48th of 102 |
| Median household income | 77th of 102 |
| Median home value | 73rd of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 85th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 14th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 96th of 102 |
| Median age | 56th 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 Perry 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.