Pekin, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Pekin, Illinois is 31,812 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 60th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $58,355, the median home value is $118,200, and the median age is 41.3.
The population has declined 8.1% since 2010 (34,017 → 31,266).
31,812
Population
2024
People / sq mi
$58,355
Median Income
$118,200
Median Home Value
Pekin covers 15.7 sq mi of land at 2024 people per square mile.
About Pekin, IL
Pekin is a city in Illinois with a population of 31,812. It ranks #60 among cities in Illinois by population. The median age is 41.3, older than the national median. The population is 51.1% male and 48.9% female.
The median household income in Pekin is $58,355, below the US median of $74,580. 9.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $118,200, with monthly rent averaging $792. The homeownership rate of 66.8% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Pekin reflects 18.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.3 minutes each way.
Pekin city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Pekin city had a population of 34,017 in 2010 and 31,266 in 2024, a -8.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 34,044 in 2012. Average annual growth rate: -0.60%.
31,266
Population (2024)
34,017
Population (2010)
34,044
Peak (2012)
-0.60%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 34,017 |
| 2011 | 34,026 |
| 2012 | 34,044 |
| 2013 | 33,880 |
| 2014 | 33,614 |
| 2015 | 32,964 |
| 2016 | 32,748 |
| 2017 | 32,564 |
| 2018 | 32,251 |
| 2019 | 32,045 |
| 2020 | 31,823 |
| 2021 | 31,618 |
| 2022 | 31,343 |
| 2023 | 31,290 |
| 2024 | 31,266 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 91.5% |
| Black or African American | 3.7% |
| Asian | 0.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$58,355
Median Household Income
$33,208
Per Capita Income
9.8%
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$118,200
Median Home Value
$792
Median Rent
66.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
89.8%
High School+
18.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.2%
Drive Alone
79.9%
Public Transit
7.3%
Work From Home
21.3 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
16.5%
Foreign Born
97.3%
Non-English at Home
7.7%
Veterans
15.3%
With Disability
95.2%
Health Insurance
91.8%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.9% |
| Manufacturing | 14.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 12.4% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.9% |
| Information | 7.4% |
| Construction | 6.9% |
| Retail Trade | 6.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.0% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.7% |
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Metro areas in Illinois
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Pekin, Illinois has a population of 31,812 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 60th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Pekin, Illinois is $58,355, with 9.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Pekin, Illinois is $118,200, with median monthly rent at $792 and a homeownership rate of 66.8%.
The median age in Pekin, Illinois is 41.3 years. The population is 51.1% male and 48.9% female.
The population has declined 8.1% since 2010 (34,017 → 31,266).
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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.