Coles County, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 31st-largest in Illinois
The population of Coles County, Illinois is 46,689 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 31st-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $56,040, the median home value is $121,900, and the median age is 38.2.
The population of Coles County has declined 13.8% since 2010 (53,865 → 46,423), a -1.06% annualized rate.
46,689
Population
-1.06%
Annual growth
92
People / sq mi
$56,040
Median Income
$121,900
Median Home Value
Coles County covers 508 sq mi of land at 91.9 people per square mile.
About Coles County, IL
Coles County is a county in Illinois with a population of 46,689. It ranks #31 among counties in Illinois by population. The median age is 38.2, in line with the national median. The population is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
The median household income in Coles County is $56,040, below the US median of $74,580. 11.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $121,900, with monthly rent averaging $793. The homeownership rate of 60.4% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Coles County reflects 27.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.2 minutes each way.
Coles County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Coles County had a population of 53,865 in 2010 and 46,423 in 2024, a -13.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 53,865 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.04%.
46,423
Population (2024)
53,865
Population (2010)
53,865
Peak (2010)
-1.04%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 53,865 |
| 2011 | 53,632 |
| 2012 | 53,333 |
| 2013 | 53,075 |
| 2014 | 52,552 |
| 2015 | 52,217 |
| 2016 | 51,820 |
| 2017 | 51,403 |
| 2018 | 50,946 |
| 2019 | 50,774 |
| 2020 | 47,084 |
| 2021 | 47,136 |
| 2022 | 46,708 |
| 2023 | 46,532 |
| 2024 | 46,423 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 90.3% |
| Black or African American | 3.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
38.2
Median Age
50.8%
Female
49.2%
Male
18.0%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.2% · Seniors (65+): 18.0%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $56,040$-25,662 vs state |
| Mean household income | $77,632 |
| Per-capita income | $33,965 |
| Poverty rate | 11.4%+3.2% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% |
| Employment-to-population | 58.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Coles County is professional & business services, accounting for 28.3% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
5.3%
Carpool
76.6%
Public transit
6.2%
Work from home
18.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$121,900$-128,600 vs state
Median home value
$793
Median rent
60.4%
Homeownership rate
22,717
Total housing units
89.5%
Occupied
10.5%
Vacant
39.6%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.7%
With health insurance
94.3%
With broadband internet
16.2%
Foreign-born
6.6%
Veterans (18+)
16.3%
With a disability
95.9%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.5%
High School+
27.1%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Coles County, Illinois has a population of 46,689 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 31st-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 92 people per square mile.
The population of Coles County has declined 13.8% since 2010 (53,865 → 46,423), a -1.06% annualized rate.
The median household income in Coles County, Illinois is $56,040, with mean (average) household income of $77,632 and per-capita income of $33,965. 11.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Coles County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.3%), Black or African American (3.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Coles County, Illinois is 38.2 years. Residents are 50.8% female and 49.2% male.
The median home value in Coles County is $121,900 and median monthly rent is $793. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 22,717 total housing units, 10.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Coles County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 28.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.
Chicago is among the largest cities associated with Coles County, Illinois, with a population of 2,707,648.
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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.