County · Illinois
Randolph County, Illinois
Randolph County, Illinois. Randolph County had 29,921 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.8% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). It holds 14 places (14 cities, villages and boroughs) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 17157.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,921
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,163 · ACS 2020-2024: 30,058
Median household income
$68,131
±$3,611 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$135,100
±$10,002 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$780
±$28 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Randolph County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 30,163 residents in Randolph County. The Census Bureau estimates 29,921 for July 1, 2025, down 0.8% since 2020, in line with Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 30,058 over 575 square miles of land.
| Measure | Randolph County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 30,058 | 12,694,798 | −2,237 |
| Households | 11,945±226 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.04 | 2.46 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 13,422±73 | 5,457,452 | −522 |
Randolph County's population since 2000
From 33,893 in 2000 to 29,921 in 2025: down 11.7%. 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 Randolph County?
Randolph County holds 14 places: 14 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Chester with 6,847 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Chester | 6,814 | $80,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 4,095 | $52,188 |
| Red Bud | 3,804 | $71,850 |
| Steeleville | 1,930 | $60,313 |
| Percy | 906 | $44,015 |
| Coulterville | 834 | $48,636 |
| Tilden | 750 | $47,857 |
| Evansville | 547 | $65,750 |
| Prairie du Rocher | 502 | $66,161 |
| Ellis Grove | 328 | $82,813 |
| Baldwin | 314 | $46,771 |
| Ruma | 313 | $75,000 |
| RockwoodGEOID 1765221 | 32 | $59,375 |
| KaskaskiaGEOID 1739129 | 21 | $150,313 |
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 Randolph County?
The median resident of Randolph County is 43.7 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.2%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Randolph County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7±0.5 | 39.0 | +2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3%±0.4 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% | 18.8% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.1%±0.4 pts | 58.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.2%±0.4 pts | 13.3% | −1.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±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 | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 14.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 22.2%±1.6 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±0.9 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.1%±1.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.2%±1.4 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0%±0.9 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.6 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 Randolph County earn?
Half of Randolph County's 11,945 households earn less than $68,131 a year (±$3,611), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $66,231 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Randolph County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,131±$3,611 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,525±$3,636 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,715±$1,348 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±2.0 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.5%±5.2 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.9%±1.7 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.9%±1.5 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 Randolph County?
Owners occupy 76.6% of Randolph County's occupied homes and renters 23.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $135,100 by its owner (±$10,002). The median renter pays $780 a month including utilities, and 32.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Randolph County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $135,100±$10,002 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $780±$28 | $1,274 | −$57 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.2%±5.9 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,308±$57 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.6%±2.2 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,422±73 | 5,457,452 | −522 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.5%±1.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.9%±1.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.8%±2.4 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.9%±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 18.1%±1.7 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 Randolph County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Randolph County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.2 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 Randolph County get to work?
81.4% of Randolph County's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Randolph County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.2%±1.4 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±1.1 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.4%±2.5 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3%±1.2 pts | 15.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±1.2 | 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 Randolph County's census tracts?
Randolph County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,750 (Tract 9506) to $111,397 (Tract 9512.02).
| Tract 950517157950500 | 1,936±202 | $67,917 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950617157950600 | 4,175±120 | $53,750 |
| Tract 950717157950700 | 2,206±207 | $56,273 |
| Tract 950817157950800 | 4,807±276 | $76,611 |
| Tract 950917157950900 | 3,213±263 | $65,703 |
| Tract 951017157951000 | 2,408±194 | $85,000 |
| Tract 951117157951100 | 3,570±274 | $61,989 |
| Tract 9512.0117157951201 | 1,814±214 | $73,438 |
| Tract 9512.0217157951202 | 3,314±237 | $111,397 |
| Tract 951317157951300 | 2,615±240 | $77,589 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Randolph County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 47th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 44th of 102 |
| Median household income | 45th of 102 |
| Median home value | 50th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 74th of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 93rd 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 Randolph 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.