Population 120 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Gale
Household size in Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.32 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.95 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.83 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.51 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Gale holds 2.83 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.32, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.9 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.7 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 52.5 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.7 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
Gale skews older: half of its residents are older than 52.5, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Gale: 3.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally.
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 Gale
Renters in Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.2% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 11.0% of households in Gale rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 55.2% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.5% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 39.4% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.4% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +16.3 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.4% of the housing in Gale, 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.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1952 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1979 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Gale are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $457 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $633 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $719 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $741 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$285 | +$475 | +$606 |
Rent in Gale runs $741 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 24.7% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 Gale
Bachelor's degrees in Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.8% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.1% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.0% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Gale: 10.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.1% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.3% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.9% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.1% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.0 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Gale have finished high school (91.1%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Illinois.
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 Gale
| Period | Gale | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 1.7% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.1% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −9.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Gale has been low: just 0.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Gale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gale | 2.83 | 52.5 | 3.3% | 11.0% | 26.4% | 1984 | $741 | 10.0% | 91.1% | 0.1% |
| Thebes | 2.86 | 45.5 | 5.7% | 12.9% | 25.0% | 1979 | $681 | 11.6% | 92.3% | 1.1% |
| McClure | 2.81 | 43.9 | 7.8% | 28.8% | 37.3% | 1974 | $856 | 13.1% | 90.4% | 9.0% |
| Olive Branch | 2.28 | 57.7 | 10.9% | 11.2% | 32.6% | 1982 | $678 | 11.3% | 92.1% | 0.0% |
| East Cape Girardeau | 2.81 | 43.2 | 8.1% | 30.6% | 39.0% | 1973 | $873 | 12.9% | 90.5% | 10.1% |
| Tamms | 2.33 | 49.3 | 7.4% | 14.1% | 20.9% | 1983 | $592 | 13.7% | 87.6% | 1.2% |
| Scott City | 2.66 | 35.4 | 13.7% | 23.4% | 5.3% | 1975 | $980 | 15.0% | 88.7% | 2.0% |
| Elco | 2.80 | 53.4 | 3.5% | 10.9% | 27.2% | 1985 | $744 | 9.8% | 91.0% | 0.0% |
| Reynoldsville | 2.63 | 43.2 | 9.1% | 9.3% | 12.8% | 1988 | $673 | 17.8% | 79.1% | 1.9% |
| Commerce | 2.33 | 41.7 | 3.4% | 18.8% | 9.9% | 1991 | $875 | 27.7% | 94.5% | 0.1% |
| Cache | 2.28 | 57.7 | 10.9% | 11.2% | 32.6% | 1982 | $678 | 11.3% | 92.1% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lorenz Park, NY · Lewbeach, NY · Lime City, OH · Linn, MS · Little, WV · Littleport, IA · Lobelia, WV · Lockport, KY · Locum, MS · Locust Hill, MO
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 Gale. 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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