Richland County, Illinois Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 67th-largest in Illinois

The population of Richland County, Illinois is 15,675 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 67th-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $60,404, the median home value is $106,600, and the median age is 42.5.

The population of Richland County has declined 5.1% since 2010 (16,193 → 15,362), a -0.38% annualized rate.

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

15,675

Population

-0.38%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$60,404

Median Income

$106,600

Median Home Value

Richland County covers 360 sq mi of land at 43.5 people per square mile.

About Richland County, IL

Housing cost is the defining feature of Richland County: the median home is valued at $106,600. Richland County is a county in Illinois with a population of 15,675.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $60,404 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 5.6%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $106,600, with typical rent around $754.

18.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 6.6% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.

Richland County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Richland County had a population of 16,193 in 2010 and 15,362 in 2024, a -5.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 16,193 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.37%.

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

15,362

Population (2024)

16,193

Population (2010)

16,193

Peak (2010)

-0.37%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	16,193	-	-	estimate
2011	16,189	-4	-0.02%	estimate
2012	16,132	-57	-0.35%	estimate
2013	16,008	-124	-0.77%	estimate
2014	16,019	+11	+0.07%	estimate
2015	15,952	-67	-0.42%	estimate
2016	15,819	-133	-0.83%	estimate
2017	15,842	+23	+0.15%	estimate
2018	15,700	-142	-0.90%	estimate
2019	15,519	-181	-1.15%	estimate
2020	15,805	+286	+1.84%	estimate
2021	15,784	-21	-0.13%	estimate
2022	15,536	-248	-1.57%	estimate
2023	15,502	-34	-0.22%	estimate
2024	15,362	-140	-0.90%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	94.1%
Black or African American	0.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.4%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

42.5

Median Age

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Male

20.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.8%

5–9

6.5%

10–14

6.5%

15–19

6.5%

20–24

5.1%

25–34

11.2%

35–44

12.0%

45–54

11.7%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

7.6%

65–74

11.2%

75–84

6.9%

85+

2.3%

Children (under 15): 18.8% · Seniors (65+): 20.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$60,404$-21,298 vs state
Mean household income	$75,635
Per-capita income	$32,156
Poverty rate	5.6%-2.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.6%
Employment-to-population	59.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.1%

Manufacturing

15.3%

Education & health care

7.8%

Retail trade

6.8%

Agriculture

5.2%

Construction

5.0%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.6%

Public administration

3.6%

The largest employment sector in Richland County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.1% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

2.1%

Carpool

81.4%

Public transit

6.6%

Work from home

20.4 min

Avg commute

Housing

$106,600$-143,900 vs state

Median home value

$754

Median rent

73.6%

Homeownership rate

7,366

Total housing units

86.9%

Occupied

13.1%

Vacant

26.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.2%

With health insurance

91.9%

With broadband internet

20.8%

Foreign-born

9.5%

Veterans (18+)

18.3%

With a disability

97.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.9%

High School+

18.9%

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)Champaign County (206,098)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

Richland County, Illinois has a population of 15,675 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 67th-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 44 people per square mile.

The population of Richland County has declined 5.1% since 2010 (16,193 → 15,362), a -0.38% annualized rate.

The median household income in Richland County, Illinois is $60,404, with mean (average) household income of $75,635 and per-capita income of $32,156. 5.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Richland County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (94.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%), Black or African American (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Richland County, Illinois is 42.5 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.

The median home value in Richland County is $106,600 and median monthly rent is $754. 73.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,366 total housing units, 13.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Richland County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.6%.

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