County · Illinois

Stephenson County, Illinois

Stephenson County, Illinois. Stephenson County had 43,220 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). It holds 31 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 17 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 17177.

Stephenson County is the county of the Freeport, IL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

43,220

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,630 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,768

Median household income

$64,043

±$3,674 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390

Median home value

$134,900

±$6,661 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300

Median gross rent

$798

±$33 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274

How many people live in Stephenson County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 44,630 residents in Stephenson County. The Census Bureau estimates 43,220 for July 1, 2025, down 3.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than Illinois's (−0.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 43,768 over 564 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 −418 (44,152)
2021→2022 −432 (43,720)
2022→2023 −203 (43,517)
2023→2024 −95 (43,422)
2024→2025 −202 (43,220)

Stephenson County in Illinois. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Stephenson County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	43,768	12,694,798	−1,325
Households	19,358±266	5,036,449	no clear change
Average household size	2.22±0.03	2.46	no clear change
Housing units	21,330±46	5,457,452	−635

Stephenson County's population since 2000

From 48,979 in 2000 to 43,220 in 2025: down 11.8%. 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.

2000 Census 48,979
2005 (estimate) 48,105
2010 Census 47,711
2015 (estimate) 45,680
2020 Census 44,630
2025 (estimate) 43,220

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 Stephenson County?

Stephenson County holds 31 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 17 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Freeport with 23,202 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Stephenson County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Freeport	city	23,973	23,505±40	$51,723	$92,100	19.6%	100%
West Point Township	township	3,211	3,130±33	$79,476	$158,600	2.7%	100%
Lena	village	2,772	2,761±188	$72,663	$146,000	3.1%	100%
Rock Run Township	township	2,212	2,162±373	$90,083	$164,800	2.9%	100%
Harlem Township, Stephenson County	township	2,014	1,993±353	$95,000	$173,000	6.1%	100%
Rock Grove TownshipGEOID 1717765065	township	1,473	1,537±268	$99,500	$259,300	7.1%	100%
Lancaster TownshipGEOID 1717741885	township	1,391	1,296±313	$91,250	$154,100	6.6%	100%
Loran Township	township	1,362	1,362±278	$73,000	$196,700	5.1%	100%
Ridott Township	township	1,352	1,301±275	$83,214	$171,700	8.6%	100%
Oneco Township	township	1,287	1,387±223	$69,630	$155,600	11.1%	100%
Lake Summerset	CDP	2,342	2,364±410	$108,355	$237,300	3.0%	52%
Buckeye Township	township	1,195	1,242±194	$76,094	$155,300	7.1%	100%
Florence Township, Stephenson County	township	1,160	1,250±315	$90,698	$216,200	11.8%	100%
Willow LakeGEOID 1782029	CDP	1,026	764±194	$100,568	$162,200	6.4%	100%
Dakota Township	township	811	928±240	$68,750	$155,600	10.7%	100%
Pearl City	village	790	745±192	$63,295	$128,200	6.6%	100%
Orangeville	village	766	1,045±208	$69,464	$152,700	10.9%	100%
Waddams TownshipGEOID 1717778318	township	739	519±219	$90,833	$155,800	11.8%	100%
Cedarville	village	663	690±170	$67,569	$125,700	10.9%	100%
Kent TownshipGEOID 1717739610	township	622	615±186	$57,228	$220,000	4.0%	100%
Silver Creek TownshipGEOID 1717769953	township	618	462±150	$57,000	$185,500	2.2%	100%
Davis	village	589	535±116	$62,050	$142,700	6.9%	100%
Winslow Township	township	574	499±134	$56,563	$114,700	20.6%	100%
Dakota	village	500	645±225	$55,815	$115,600	14.5%	100%
German Valley	village	433	467±159	$73,661	$130,300	6.6%	100%
Erin TownshipGEOID 1717724413	township	384	423±160	$84,688	$226,400	43.7%	100%
Rock CityGEOID 1764837	village	293	441±164	$68,125	$122,700	4.5%	100%
Winslow	village	281	338±121	$55,156	$111,800	27.8%	100%
Jefferson TownshipGEOID 1717738284	township	252	157±55	$76,250	$135,400	5.7%	100%
RidottGEOID 1764044	village	124	130±63	$71,875	$126,000	11.6%	100%
BaileyvilleGEOID 1703337	CDP	187	99±64	$21,007	$822,900	3.0%	10%

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 Stephenson County?

The median resident of Stephenson County is 45.3 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 24.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.5%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Stephenson County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	45.3±0.5	39.0	no clear change
Under 18 years	21.2%±0.1 pts	21.8%	–
65 years and over	24.4%±0.1 pts	17.0%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.6%	18.8%	+1.6 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	78.9%±0.6 pts	58.1%	−3.6 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	8.5%±1.0 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	0.2%±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	5.6%±1.0 pts	3.4%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.4%±0.4 pts	0.4%	–
Born outside the United States	2.6%±0.5 pts	14.7%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	3.8%±0.6 pts	24.0%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	7.5%±0.9 pts	4.8%	–
With a disability	15.7%±1.0 pts	12.1%	–
No health insurance coverage	5.2%±0.9 pts	6.9%	no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	92.6%±1.0 pts	90.5%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	20.7%±1.9 pts	37.8%	no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	7.0%±1.2 pts	15.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	3.3%±0.9 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 Stephenson County earn?

Half of Stephenson County's 19,358 households earn less than $64,043 a year (±$3,674), against $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $60,064 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Stephenson County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$64,043±$3,674	$83,390	no clear change
Mean household income	$79,920±$3,413	$115,638	–
Per capita income	$35,305±$1,190	$46,406	no clear change
People below the poverty line	13.9%±1.9 pts	11.8%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	19.9%±5.2 pts	15.1%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	17.0%±2.0 pts	13.8%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	86.5%±1.8 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 Stephenson County?

Owners occupy 70.9% of Stephenson County's occupied homes and renters 29.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $134,900 by its owner (±$6,661). The median renter pays $798 a month including utilities, and 30.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Stephenson County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$134,900±$6,661	$263,300	+$14,538
Median gross rent	$798±$33	$1,274	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	30.2%±4.9 pts	39.0%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,312±$53	$1,987	–
Owner-occupied homes	70.9%±2.0 pts	67.1%	no clear change
Housing units	21,330±46	5,457,452	−635
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.5%±0.3 pts	1.0%	–
Rental vacancy rate	4.1%±1.9 pts	5.0%	–
Single-family detached homes	75.9%±1.9 pts	58.2%	–
Mobile homes	3.6%±1.1 pts	2.3%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.7%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	33.6%±2.4 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 Stephenson County building?

Builders took permits for 14 new housing units across Stephenson County in 2025 (14 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.

2019 16 units
2020 13 units
2021 20 units
2022 11 units
2023 14 units
2024 5 units
2025 14 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Stephenson County get to work?

77.9% of Stephenson County's workers drive alone and 10.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Stephenson County	Illinois	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	60.6%±1.3 pts	65.0%	–
Unemployment rate	4.3%±1.2 pts	5.8%	−2.7 pts
Drove alone to work	77.9%±2.2 pts	65.9%	–
Carpooled	7.7%±1.7 pts	7.8%	–
Public transportation	0.6%±0.4 pts	5.8%	–
Walked	2.0%±0.6 pts	2.8%	–
Worked from home	10.3%±1.7 pts	15.9%	+4.8 pts
Mean travel time to work	20.7 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 Stephenson County's census tracts?

Stephenson County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,979 (Tract 8) to $95,870 (Tract 5).

Census tracts of Stephenson County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 117177000100	Davis (14%)	4,500	4,636±369	$86,178	$201,300	$681	6.0%
Tract 217177000200	Orangeville (12%)	3,132	3,022±242	$75,642	$153,100	$781	9.8%
Tract 317177000300	Lena (36%)	3,841	3,733±227	$79,053	$156,400	$674	5.0%
Tract 417177000400	Pearl City (9%)	2,733	2,646±295	$69,762	$195,100	$977	11.6%
Tract 517177000500	Willow Lake (11%)	2,929	2,860±352	$95,870	$196,000	$880	6.4%
Tract 617177000600	German Valley (5%)	3,091	2,816±321	$91,583	$172,300	$825	5.6%
Tract 717177000700	Freeport (77%)	1,474	1,031±214	$37,426	$64,300	$720	24.8%
Tract 817177000800	Freeport (98%)	3,134	3,173±404	$36,979	$72,800	$703	26.7%
Tract 917177000900	Freeport (91%)	4,844	4,419±392	$52,523	$130,200	$601	15.1%
Tract 1017177001000	Freeport (88%)	4,354	4,517±494	$64,338	$158,700	$880	9.8%
Tract 1117177001100	Freeport	3,224	3,120±369	$58,451	$94,100	$804	20.2%
Tract 1217177001200	Freeport (93%)	3,622	4,173±456	$53,789	$63,800	$913	25.5%
Tract 1317177001300	Freeport (93%)	3,752	3,622±468	$55,407	$47,000	$852	22.1%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Stephenson County compare with Illinois's other counties?

Stephenson County's rank among Illinois's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	33rd of 102
Growth 2020-2025	72nd of 102
Residents per square mile	30th of 102
Median household income	64th of 102
Median home value	51st of 102
Median gross rent	59th of 102
Poverty rate	35th of 102
Bachelor's degree or higher	56th of 102
Median age	16th of 102

Every county in Illinois

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 Stephenson 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.