Charleston, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Charleston, Illinois is 17,212 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 147th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $49,057, the median home value is $133,700, and the median age is 28.8.
The population has declined 20.6% since 2010 (21,852 → 17,361).
17,212
Population
1896
People / sq mi
$49,057
Median Income
$133,700
Median Home Value
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Charleston covers 9.1 sq mi of land at 1896 people per square mile.
About Charleston, IL
Charleston skews on age — the median resident is 28.8, younger than the national median. With 17,212 residents, Charleston is a city in Illinois.
Incomes are among the lowest of comparable places, with a median household income of $49,057, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 15.7%, above the national 12.4%. Real estate is inexpensive, with a typical home worth only $133,700, with typical rent around $819.
Roughly 34.2% of adults have a bachelor’s, near the national 35.0%. About 9.1% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 15 minutes each way.
Charleston city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Charleston city had a population of 21,852 in 2010 and 17,361 in 2024, a -20.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 21,852 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.58%.
17,361
Population (2024)
21,852
Population (2010)
21,852
Peak (2010)
-1.58%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 21,852 |
| 2011 | 21,837 |
| 2012 | 21,633 |
| 2013 | 21,370 |
| 2014 | 21,059 |
| 2015 | 20,792 |
| 2016 | 20,539 |
| 2017 | 20,382 |
| 2018 | 20,192 |
| 2019 | 20,117 |
| 2020 | 17,579 |
| 2021 | 17,589 |
| 2022 | 17,469 |
| 2023 | 17,409 |
| 2024 | 17,361 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 86.1% |
| Black or African American | 7.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$49,057
Median Household Income
$30,375
Per Capita Income
15.7%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$133,700
Median Home Value
$819
Median Rent
46.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.4%
High School+
34.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
69.7%
Public Transit
9.1%
Work From Home
15.1 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
18.2%
Foreign Born
95.2%
Non-English at Home
4.9%
Veterans
16.8%
With Disability
95.0%
Health Insurance
95.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 34.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 13.2% |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.0% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 4.7% |
| Construction | 4.4% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Information | 2.7% |
| Retail Trade | 2.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
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City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Charleston, Illinois has a population of 17,212 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 147th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Charleston, Illinois is $49,057, with 15.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Charleston, Illinois is $133,700, with median monthly rent at $819 and a homeownership rate of 46.7%.
The median age in Charleston, Illinois is 28.8 years. The population is 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
The population has declined 20.6% since 2010 (21,852 → 17,361).
Where to stay in Charleston
Visiting or relocating to Charleston, IL? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.