Champaign County, Illinois Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in Illinois

The population of Champaign County, Illinois is 206,098 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $63,091, the median home value is $205,100, and the median age is 30.9.

The population of Champaign County has grown 5.4% since 2010 (201,558 → 212,374), a +0.37% annualized rate.

Champaign County within Illinois · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

206,098

Population

+0.37%

Annual growth

207

People / sq mi

$63,091

Median Income

$205,100

Median Home Value

Champaign County covers 996 sq mi of land at 206.9 people per square mile.

About Champaign County, IL

Age is the most distinctive thing about Champaign County: a median age of 30.9, younger than the national median. With 206,098 residents, Champaign County is a county in Illinois. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Illinois in the country, at #10 by population.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $63,091 — below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.8%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $205,100, with typical rent around $1,018.

Champaign County is among the best-educated US counties: 46.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 13.2%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 17 minutes each way.

Champaign County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Champaign County had a population of 201,558 in 2010 and 212,374 in 2024, a 5.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 212,374 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.38%.

Champaign County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

212,374

Population (2024)

201,558

Population (2010)

212,374

Peak (2024)

0.38%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	201,558	-	-	estimate
2011	203,239	+1,681	+0.83%	estimate
2012	204,697	+1,458	+0.72%	estimate
2013	206,527	+1,830	+0.89%	estimate
2014	208,068	+1,541	+0.75%	estimate
2015	209,534	+1,466	+0.70%	estimate
2016	210,388	+854	+0.41%	estimate
2017	210,630	+242	+0.12%	estimate
2018	210,206	-424	-0.20%	estimate
2019	209,612	-594	-0.28%	estimate
2020	206,252	-3,360	-1.60%	estimate
2021	207,232	+980	+0.48%	estimate
2022	208,033	+801	+0.39%	estimate
2023	209,813	+1,780	+0.86%	estimate
2024	212,374	+2,561	+1.22%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	66.3%
Black or African American	13.4%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.9%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

30.9

Median Age

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Male

13.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.3%

5–9

5.0%

10–14

5.8%

15–19

9.9%

20–24

15.6%

25–34

13.6%

35–44

11.6%

45–54

9.7%

55–59

5.0%

60–64

4.9%

65–74

8.2%

75–84

3.9%

85+

1.5%

Children (under 15): 16.1% · Seniors (65+): 13.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$63,091$-18,611 vs state
Mean household income	$89,697
Per-capita income	$37,366
Poverty rate	7.8%-0.4% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.7%
Employment-to-population	58.3%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

40.5%

Finance & real estate

9.4%

Education & health care

8.7%

Manufacturing

8.0%

Information

4.7%

Retail trade

4.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.0%

Construction

3.4%

The largest employment sector in Champaign County is professional & business services, accounting for 40.5% of workers.

How residents commute

3.7%

Drive alone

7.2%

Carpool

65.6%

Public transit

13.2%

Work from home

17.3 min

Avg commute

Housing

$205,100$-45,400 vs state

Median home value

$1,018

Median rent

53.4%

Homeownership rate

94,351

Total housing units

88.8%

Occupied

11.2%

Vacant

46.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

95.0%

With health insurance

96.1%

With broadband internet

19.8%

Foreign-born

4.3%

Veterans (18+)

10.1%

With a disability

81.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

95.1%

High School+

46.6%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Illinois

Chicago (2,707,648)Aurora (179,867)Joliet (149,785)Naperville (149,424)Rockford (147,649)Elgin (114,106)Springfield (113,714)Peoria (112,126)Waukegan (88,919)Champaign (88,822)All Illinois cities →

Other counties in Illinois

Cook County (5,185,812)DuPage County (927,263)Lake County (711,885)Will County (698,450)Kane County (516,097)McHenry County (311,366)Winnebago County (283,289)Madison County (264,631)St. Clair County (254,777)Sangamon County (195,217)All Illinois counties →

Part of Illinois

Illinois demographic profile All Illinois data →

Metro areas in Illinois

Chicago (9,359,555)St. Louis (2,809,414)Davenport (381,864)Peoria (365,773)Rockford (336,605)Champaign (236,196)Springfield (207,386)Bloomington (170,882)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign County, Illinois has a population of 206,098 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 207 people per square mile.

The population of Champaign County has grown 5.4% since 2010 (201,558 → 212,374), a +0.37% annualized rate.

The median household income in Champaign County, Illinois is $63,091, with mean (average) household income of $89,697 and per-capita income of $37,366. 7.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Champaign County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (66.3%), Black or African American (13.4%), Hispanic or Latino (0.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Champaign County, Illinois is 30.9 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.

The median home value in Champaign County is $205,100 and median monthly rent is $1,018. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 94,351 total housing units, 11.2% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Champaign County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 40.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

Chicago is among the largest cities associated with Champaign County, Illinois, with a population of 2,707,648.