Galesburg, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Galesburg, Illinois is 29,653 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 67th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $45,213, the median home value is $89,800, and the median age is 41.2.
The population has declined 9.0% since 2010 (32,180 → 29,289).
29,653
Population
1668
People / sq mi
$45,213
Median Income
$89,800
Median Home Value
Galesburg covers 17.8 sq mi of land at 1668 people per square mile.
About Galesburg, IL
Galesburg is a city in Illinois with a population of 29,653. It ranks #67 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 41.2, older than the national median. The population is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.
The median household income in Galesburg is $45,213, below the US median of $74,580. 13.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $89,800, with monthly rent averaging $719. The homeownership rate of 61.2% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Galesburg reflects 19.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 16.2 minutes each way.
Galesburg city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Galesburg city had a population of 32,180 in 2010 and 29,289 in 2024, a -9.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 32,180 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.67%.
29,289
Population (2024)
32,180
Population (2010)
32,180
Peak (2010)
-0.67%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 32,180 |
| 2011 | 32,046 |
| 2012 | 31,784 |
| 2013 | 31,700 |
| 2014 | 31,590 |
| 2015 | 31,228 |
| 2016 | 30,930 |
| 2017 | 30,729 |
| 2018 | 30,368 |
| 2019 | 30,197 |
| 2020 | 29,942 |
| 2021 | 29,646 |
| 2022 | 29,292 |
| 2023 | 29,260 |
| 2024 | 29,289 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 75.1% |
| Black or African American | 12.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$45,213
Median Household Income
$25,294
Per Capita Income
13.9%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$89,800
Median Home Value
$719
Median Rent
61.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.7%
High School+
19.3%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
75.4%
Public Transit
5.7%
Work From Home
16.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.5%
Foreign Born
91.1%
Non-English at Home
6.7%
Veterans
17.9%
With Disability
94.1%
Health Insurance
85.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 33.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 11.1% |
| Manufacturing | 8.2% |
| Retail Trade | 7.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.5% |
| Construction | 4.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 3.7% |
| Public Administration | 3.2% |
| Information | 2.9% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 1.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Galesburg, Illinois has a population of 29,653 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 67th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Galesburg, Illinois is $45,213, with 13.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Galesburg, Illinois is $89,800, with median monthly rent at $719 and a homeownership rate of 61.2%.
The median age in Galesburg, Illinois is 41.2 years. The population is 51.3% male and 48.7% female.
The population has declined 9.0% since 2010 (32,180 → 29,289).
More from Illinois
Population 2,707,648
Population 179,867
Population 149,785
Population 149,424
Population 147,649
Full rankings of Illinois cities by population
Statewide data for Illinois
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Illinois
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.