County · Illinois
Stark County, Illinois
Stark County, Illinois. Stark County had 5,319 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 12 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 towns and townships) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 17175.
Stark County is one of the 5 counties of the Peoria, IL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,319
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,400 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,308
Median household income
$62,878
±$5,960 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$104,500
±$8,225 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$735
±$54 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
How many people live in Stark County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,400 residents in Stark County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,319 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,308 over 288 square miles of land.
| Measure | Stark County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,308 | 12,694,798 | −139 |
| Households | 2,285±71 | 5,036,449 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.27±0.07 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,573±17 | 5,457,452 | −80 |
Stark County's population since 2000
From 6,332 in 2000 to 5,319 in 2025: down 16.0%. 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 Stark County?
Stark County holds 12 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Toulon Township with 2,167 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Toulon Township | 2,233 | $62,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 1,300 | $60,238 |
| Toulon | 1,193 | $59,167 |
| Osceola Township | 899 | $59,750 |
| Bradford | 676 | $52,292 |
| Essex Township, Stark County | 583 | $49,453 |
| Goshen Township | 557 | $53,333 |
| Elmira TownshipGEOID 1717523646 | 311 | $82,222 |
| Penn Township, Stark CountyGEOID 1717558603 | 302 | $105,609 |
| Valley TownshipGEOID 1717577174 | 275 | $135,625 |
| West Jersey TownshipGEOID 1717580489 | 240 | not published |
| La FayetteGEOID 1740676 | 160 | $51,346 |
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 Stark County?
The median resident of Stark County is 44.4 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 22.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.2%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Stark County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4±0.6 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.6%±0.5 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.9%±0.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 18.8% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.7%±1.5 pts | 58.1% | −4.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 13.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| 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%±0.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±1.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±1.1 pts | 14.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 24.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| With a disability | 14.7%±2.1 pts | 12.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.8%±1.9 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.8%±1.6 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.4%±2.9 pts | 37.8% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.7 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±1.0 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 Stark County earn?
Half of Stark County's 2,285 households earn less than $62,878 a year (±$5,960), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $67,574 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Stark County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,878±$5,960 | $83,390 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $88,597±$7,551 | $115,638 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,754±$3,073 | $46,406 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±2.6 pts | 11.8% | −4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.5%±5.9 pts | 15.1% | −11.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.2%±3.2 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 Stark County?
Owners occupy 80.1% of Stark County's occupied homes and renters 19.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $104,500 by its owner (±$8,225). The median renter pays $735 a month including utilities, and 32.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Stark County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $104,500±$8,225 | $263,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $735±$54 | $1,274 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.3%±8.8 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,223±$82 | $1,987 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.1%±3.2 pts | 67.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,573±17 | 5,457,452 | −80 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.3%±2.5 pts | 58.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±1.3 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 35.5%±3.7 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 Stark County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Stark County in 2025 (1 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 Stark County get to work?
80.8% of Stark County's workers drive alone and 8.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Stark County | Illinois | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.3%±2.6 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±1.2 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±3.2 pts | 65.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2%±2.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±1.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.0%±2.4 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min±1.8 | 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 Stark County's census tracts?
Stark County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,117 (Tract 9514) to $70,132 (Tract 9515).
| Tract 951417175951400 | 2,983±170 | $60,117 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 951517175951500 | 2,325±170 | $70,132 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Stark County compare with Illinois's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 95th of 102 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 95th of 102 |
| Median household income | 68th of 102 |
| Median home value | 84th of 102 |
| Median gross rent | 82nd of 102 |
| Poverty rate | 64th of 102 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 102 |
| Median age | 21st 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 Stark 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.