County · Illinois
Richland County, Illinois
Richland County, Illinois. Richland County had 15,219 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 15 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 9 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 17159.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,219
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,813 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,598
Median household income
$62,455
±$5,569 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$112,000
±$7,458 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$805
±$43 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Richland County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,813 residents in Richland County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,219 for July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,598 over 360 square miles of land.
| Measure | Richland County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,598 | 12,694,798 | −168 |
| Households | 6,443±221 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.08 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,363±23 | 5,457,452 | −155 |
Richland County's population since 2000
From 16,149 in 2000 to 15,219 in 2025: down 5.8%. 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 Richland County?
Richland County holds 15 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Olney Township with 9,590 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Olney Township | 9,980 | $61,924 |
|---|---|---|
| Olney | 8,701 | $59,980 |
| Noble Township | 1,436 | $49,665 |
| Preston TownshipGEOID 1715961847 | 1,176 | $53,941 |
| Claremont TownshipGEOID 1715914546 | 852 | $71,705 |
| Madison Township | 786 | $78,482 |
| Noble | 633 | $57,143 |
| Bonpas TownshipGEOID 1715907289 | 428 | $88,125 |
| Decker TownshipGEOID 1715918862 | 418 | $91,750 |
| Denver TownshipGEOID 1715919486 | 409 | $92,321 |
| German TownshipGEOID 1715929028 | 328 | $110,500 |
| ParkersburgGEOID 1757693 | 186 | $42,917 |
| CalhounGEOID 1710448 | 164 | $76,250 |
| ClaremontGEOID 1714533 | 161 | $36,591 |
| DundasGEOID 1721020 | 146 | not published |
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 Richland County?
The median resident of Richland County is 42.3 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 20.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.8%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Richland County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3±1.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.0%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.7%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.0% | 18.8% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.4%±1.0 pts | 58.1% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 13.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 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 | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.6 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±1.2 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 17.6%±2.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1%±1.3 pts | 6.9% | +1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5%±1.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.1%±2.9 pts | 37.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.4 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±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 Richland County earn?
Half of Richland County's 6,443 households earn less than $62,455 a year (±$5,569), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $60,174 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Richland County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,455±$5,569 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,417±$5,031 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,126±$2,018 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.1%±2.4 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.2%±5.4 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.7%±2.6 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±2.7 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 Richland County?
Owners occupy 73.8% of Richland County's occupied homes and renters 26.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $112,000 by its owner (±$7,458). The median renter pays $805 a month including utilities, and 29.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Richland County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $112,000±$7,458 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $805±$43 | $1,274 | +$108 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.8%±8.3 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,164±$69 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.8%±3.0 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,363±23 | 5,457,452 | −155 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±3.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.4%±2.5 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 14.1%±2.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.9%±2.7 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 Richland County building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units across Richland County in 2025 (8 single-family), 0.5 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 Richland County get to work?
80.7% of Richland County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.1%.
| Measure | Richland County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.4%±2.5 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.1%±1.4 pts | 5.8% | −2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.7%±3.2 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±2.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.4%±1.9 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.7 min±1.7 | 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 Richland County's census tracts?
Richland County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,875 (Tract 9780) to $78,264 (Tract 9783).
| Tract 977917159977900 | 3,540±310 | $54,857 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 978017159978000 | 2,020±295 | $46,875 |
| Tract 978117159978100 | 4,154±383 | $67,083 |
| Tract 978217159978200 | 2,446±359 | $59,583 |
| Tract 978317159978300 | 3,438±318 | $78,264 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Richland County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 67th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 82nd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 102 |
| Median household income | 73rd of 102 |
| Median home value | 75th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 56th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th of 102 |
| Median age | 53rd 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 Richland 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.