Champaign County

As of the 2020 Census, Champaign County, IL has a population of approximately 210,000 people. The racial makeup includes 67.1% White, 13.9% Black or African American, 11.5% Asian, and 7.5% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is around $53,000, with a poverty rate of 22.4%. The population includes a significant number of students due to the presence of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The county covers an area of 998 square miles.

As of 2023, the median home value in Champaign County, IL is approximately $160,000. The median rent is around $940 per month. Homeownership stands at 55%, with 45% renting. The area experiences a 2-3% annual appreciation rate in home values. There's a diverse housing mix, with single-family homes making up 60% and apartments 40%. The vacancy rate hovers around 8%, influenced by the University of Illinois student population.

Champaign County, IL, is set for its upcoming elections with several key races. For the 2024 general election, seats up for grabs include those for County Board, Sheriff, and State's Attorney, among others. In the 2020 presidential election, the county saw a voter turnout of approximately 73.4%, with 88,202 votes cast for Joe Biden and 55,492 for Donald Trump. Local races have seen significant participation as well.

For the County Board, candidates typically run in 11 districts, with two representatives per district. Other notable races often include city mayoral positions and local referenda. Noteworthy candidates often include incumbents and newcomers with varied political and professional backgrounds. Specific candidate names and numerical values for the 2024 elections will be released closer to the election date by the Champaign County Clerk’s office and can be tracked on their official website for the most current information.

Champaign County, IL is highly educated, primarily due to the presence of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. According to recent data:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 48.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold at least a bachelor's degree.
• Graduate or Professional Degrees: 27.8% of residents hold a graduate or professional degree.

National Averages:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 33.1%
• Graduate or Professional Degree: 13.1%

Illinois State Averages:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 34.3%
• Graduate or Professional Degree: 13.4%

Champaign County significantly surpasses both national and state averages in educational attainment, reflecting its strong academic environment.

As of recent data, Champaign County, IL has an employment rate of approximately 60%, with a labor force participation rate near 65%. The unemployment rate is around 4.2%, generally aligning with the national average of 3.8% and Illinois' state average of 4.5%.

Top industries in Champaign County include education (14.4%), largely due to the presence of the University of Illinois, healthcare and social assistance (13.8%), and retail trade (10.5%). Professional, scientific, and technical services also play a significant role (7.2%).

Compared to national averages, education and healthcare represent larger employment sectors in Champaign County, reflecting the county's service-oriented economy. Retail trade percentages are consistent with national figures.

The county's employment in manufacturing (7.1%) is lower than the national average (8.5%), indicating a focus on service industries over manufacturing.

As of the latest data, the median household income in Champaign County, IL, is approximately $52,300. Comparatively, the median household income for the state of Illinois is about $69,200, and the national median household income is around $68,700. This indicates that Champaign County's median household income is lower than both the state and national averages.

Income Comparison Table

Champaign County's lower median income can be attributed to factors such as a high student population from the University of Illinois, which typically has lower incomes.

As of the most recent data available, Champaign County, Illinois, has a varied crime rate. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, here are the crime statistics for Champaign County:

The violent crime rate stands at approximately 4.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is about 13.7 incidents per 1,000 residents. Note that crime rates can vary widely within different areas of the county and are subject to change over time. Always refer to the latest local law enforcement reports for current figures.