Population 19,422 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in East St. Louis
Household size in East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.53 | 2.52 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.76 | 2.46 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.23 | −0.06 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in East St. Louis average 2.76 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.53, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the center and smallest in the north.
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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2 | 38.5 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.3 | 39.5 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.3 | 40.7 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.5 | 40.8 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +9.4 | +2.3 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 44.5, East St. Louis is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 35.2 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. East St. Louis is older than at least four in five Illinois cities.
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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.1% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.7% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 11.0% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 22.5% | 11.1% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −9.7 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in East St. Louis: 22.5% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 9.7 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only ten of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 East St. Louis
Renters in East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.3% | 28.3% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 54.0% | 30.1% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.8% | 31.1% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 37.7% | 29.6% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −11.5 pts | +1.4 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in East St. Louis is about as common as it is nationally: 37.7% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in the St. Louis area as a whole (29.6%). Among homeowners, 72.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 11.5 points, 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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 9.6% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.7% | 10.1% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.2% | 8.8% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +15.1 pts | −0.8 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in East St. Louis: 32.2% 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 15.1 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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1958 | 1972 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1972 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1959 | 1973 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1958 | 1975 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | −0 | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in East St. Louis is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1958, 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 center. East St. Louis has older homes than the great majority of Illinois cities.
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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $612 | $825 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $695 | $920 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $694 | $1,010 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $944 | $1,239 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$332 | +$414 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in East St. Louis runs $944 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $332 a month since 2006–10, up 54%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 34.1% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 East St. Louis
Bachelor's degrees in East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 30.3% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.9% | 32.1% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.9% | 34.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 38.5% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +8.3 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in East St. Louis: 18.5% 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 7.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the northwest.
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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.8% | 88.8% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.0% | 90.5% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.6% | 92.1% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.9% | 93.6% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.1 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in East St. Louis never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.1 points, as it has nationally. East St. Louis has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Illinois cities.
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 East St. Louis
| Period | East St. Louis | St. Louis area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.8% | 7.7% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.8% | 4.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 4.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in East St. Louis runs well above the national rate: 16.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 388 Illinois cities with 5,000+ people, only two have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
East St. Louis compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East St. Louis | 2.76 | 44.5 | 22.5% | 37.7% | 32.2% | 1958 | $944 | 18.5% | 85.9% | 16.2% |
| Washington Park | 2.55 | 33.2 | 12.6% | 18.3% | 33.2% | 1966 | $771 | 9.4% | 77.7% | 14.4% |
| Alorton | 2.27 | 42.5 | 25.8% | 54.0% | 26.4% | 1981 | $645 | 8.4% | 73.3% | 6.4% |
| Centreville | 2.81 | 36.5 | 24.2% | 47.9% | 29.3% | 1962 | $973 | 16.7% | 85.3% | 16.0% |
| Fairmont City | 2.81 | 38.7 | 10.5% | 21.5% | 15.1% | 1953 | $1,163 | 12.7% | 69.9% | 1.8% |
| Sauget | 1.96 | 46.9 | 17.2% | 32.7% | 24.8% | 1968 | $829 | 12.7% | 87.2% | 7.2% |
| Brooklyn | 2.60 | 30.1 | 30.8% | 57.2% | 14.0% | 1965 | $895 | 26.9% | 97.6% | 13.3% |
| Lovejoy | 2.56 | 31.4 | 28.9% | 53.0% | 14.2% | 1965 | $885 | 25.9% | 97.0% | 12.7% |
| Cahokia | 3.16 | 25.6 | 42.0% | 47.9% | 24.8% | 1969 | $968 | 15.6% | 80.0% | 6.6% |
| Venice | 2.45 | 34.1 | 27.4% | 68.4% | 22.1% | 1968 | $983 | 6.7% | 86.8% | 26.2% |
| Madison | 2.46 | 46.0 | 12.1% | 43.8% | 15.0% | 1960 | $1,040 | 13.8% | 87.1% | 16.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Westwood, NJ · Walterboro, SC · Santa Fe Springs, CA · Santa Rosa Beach, FL · Sayreville, NJ · Seabrook, MD · Belmar, NJ · Erlanger, KY · Beacon, NY · Bon Air, VA
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 East St. Louis. 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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