Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Zion, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

24,600

Median Agei

32.3

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

43.7%10,760

White

24.5%6,030

Black

23.1%5,686

Two or More

5.2%1,290

Asian

2.9%711

Other

0.4%92

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%31

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

7.1%1,068

High School Diploma

28.8%4,337

Some College (<1 yr)

9.4%1,414

Some College (1+ yr)

16.5%2,493

Associate's Degree

7.2%1,084

Bachelor's Degree

10.2%1,534

Master's Degree

3.9%589

Professional Degree

0.5%69

Doctorate

0.6%85

HS or Higher

84.1%

BA or Higher

15.1%

Graduate+

4.9%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$183,800

Median Renti

$1,186

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

57.8%5,093

Renter-Occupied

42.2%3,720

Total Units

9,374

Homeownership

57.8%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

3%155

$50K–$100K

4.7%239

$100K–$150K

17.1%869

$150K–$200K

38.4%1,955

$200K–$300K

29.3%1,490

$300K–$500K

7.1%364

$500K–$1M

0.3%16

$1M+

0.1%5

Rent Distribution

Under $500

435

$500–$750

143

$750–$1,000

723

$1,000–$1,250

668

$1,250–$1,500

631

$1,500–$2,000

769

$2,000+

225

Year Built

2020 or later

0.1%8

2010–2019

1.1%107

2000–2009

9.9%930

1990–1999

15.7%1,476

1980–1989

8.7%812

1970–1979

15.8%1,481

1960–1969

16.2%1,521

1950–1959

10.2%957

1940–1949

4.3%407

1939 or earlier

17.9%1,675

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

70%6,170

Electricity

27.4%2,411

Bottled/LP Gas

2.2%197

No Fuel

0.2%18

Other

0.2%17

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$63,104

Mean Household Incomei

$91,148

Per Capita Incomei

$32,277

Poverty Ratei

15.7%

Unemploymenti

6.6%

Labor Forcei

12,803

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.9%875

$10K–$15K

2.4%214

$15K–$20K

3.1%274

$20K–$25K

3.4%304

$25K–$30K

5%439

$30K–$35K

4.9%431

$35K–$40K

4.7%413

$40K–$45K

2.3%199

$45K–$50K

3.3%292

$50K–$60K

9.6%847

$60K–$75K

9.8%861

$75K–$100K

12.4%1,095

$100K–$125K

10.3%906

$125K–$150K

4.7%410

$150K–$200K

9.4%831

$200K+

4.8%422

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,289

Residentsi

2,402

Avg. Tenant Renti

$456/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

10 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing57 homes95% occupied$338/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers945 homes88% occupied$472/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8287 homes96% occupied$425/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $63,104/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $19K/yr

80%

Very low income$19K–$32K/yr

16.6%

Low income$32K–$50K/yr

3.4%

Who Receives This Housing

80% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

86.1% of subsidized households are minority

21.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

25.7% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

11,794

Avg. Commutei

27.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

11,854

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,323(7.6% of civilian adults)