Population 15,576 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carroll County
Household size in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.18 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.00 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Carroll County are small: just 2.18 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Few Illinois counties have smaller households: only seven of 102.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.9 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.3 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.1 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.7, Carroll County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 45.9, a smaller shift than nationally. Few Illinois counties are older: only nine of 102.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.7% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.1% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.1% of households in Carroll County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Carroll County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Illinois counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Carroll County
Renters in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.4% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.8% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.8% of households in Carroll County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 52.0% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the northeast. The renter share is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.1% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.1% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.7% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Carroll County: 18.7% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1957 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1959 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Carroll County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1959, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the northwest. Few Illinois counties have older homes: only eight of 102.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $572 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $583 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $641 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $836 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$264 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Carroll County costs $836 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $264 a month from 2006–10, a 46% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 23.1% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Carroll County
Bachelor's degrees in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.1% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.3% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Carroll County: 18.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the southwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.8% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.0% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.2% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Carroll County have finished high school as nationally: 89.0%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Carroll County
| Period | Carroll County | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Carroll County has been low: just 2.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Illinois' 102 counties, only eight have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.0 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Carroll County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | 2.18 | 46.7 | 8.1% | 22.8% | 18.7% | 1959 | $836 | 18.3% | 89.0% | 2.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.39 | 45.4 | 6.3% | 19.3% | 11.0% | 1965 | $853 | 19.1% | 94.3% | 5.5% |
| Ogle County | 2.48 | 42.7 | 9.6% | 24.6% | 9.1% | 1973 | $946 | 24.3% | 91.2% | 4.7% |
| Jones County | 2.43 | 42.9 | 13.3% | 19.4% | 7.8% | 1968 | $846 | 22.0% | 95.3% | 4.4% |
| DeKalb County | 2.52 | 35.4 | 12.9% | 38.6% | 6.0% | 1978 | $1,183 | 33.1% | 91.6% | 7.1% |
| Kane County | 2.88 | 39.6 | 11.3% | 24.0% | 4.4% | 1981 | $1,711 | 37.9% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
| Linn County | 2.44 | 39.6 | 11.3% | 26.5% | 8.3% | 1980 | $1,057 | 34.2% | 94.8% | 3.4% |
| Benton County | 2.53 | 43.2 | 9.7% | 15.0% | 7.7% | 1967 | $843 | 25.7% | 95.3% | 1.9% |
| Tama County | 2.47 | 42.6 | 13.3% | 24.0% | 11.8% | 1959 | $870 | 19.9% | 91.6% | 4.5% |
| Marshall County | 2.58 | 39.8 | 10.7% | 25.0% | 9.5% | 1957 | $1,039 | 22.6% | 86.1% | 4.2% |
| Berrien County | 2.41 | 43.3 | 12.2% | 27.2% | 13.1% | 1967 | $1,052 | 30.8% | 92.3% | 6.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fairfield County, SC · Fremont County, ID · Freestone County, TX · Franklin Parish, LA · Presque Isle County, MI · Price County, WI · Randolph County, AR · Fayette County, TX · Fayette County, IL · Fayette County, IA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Carroll County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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