2023 Ford County, Illinois Demographics | Comprehensive Overview
Data and insights for Ford County, Illinois, including population, age & gender distribution, race & ethnicity, median & household income distribution, property value distribution, educational attainment, health insurance coverage, nativity & citizenship, commuting & transportation, employment, veteran service, poverty & income and SNAP/food stamp recipients. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.
Ford County, Illinois Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)
Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates
Ford County, Illinois Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution (2023)

Key Demographic Indicators for Ford County, Illinois
The following statistics highlight Ford County, Illinois population and median age, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Population
- 13,396
- Median Age (Total)
- 42.5 years
- Median Age (Male)
- 40.0 years
- Median Age (Female)
- 43.9 years
Ford County, Illinois Age Distribution Comparison with Illinois 2023
Compare Ford County, Illinois age demographics with Illinois to understand regional demographic patterns.
| Metric | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 42.5 yrs | 39.4 yrs | +3.1 yrs |
| Under 5 years | 5.72% | 5.15% | +0.6pp |
| Children (5–17 years) | 17.57% | 16.03% | +1.5pp |
| Young Adults (18–24) | 7.32% | 9.19% | -1.9pp |
| Middle-aged (35–54) | 24.70% | 25.72% | -1.0pp |
| Seniors (65+) | 19.29% | 17.90% | +1.4pp |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 74.15 | 64.15 | +10.0 |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. "yrs" indicates years. The dependency ratio measures the burden on working-age population (18-64) to support dependents (under 18 and 65+).
Dependency Ratios Analysis
- Total Dependency Ratio
- 74.15
- Youth Dependency Ratio
- 40.56 Population under 18 relative to working age (18-64).
- Old-Age Dependency Ratio
- 33.59 Population 65+ relative to working age (18-64).
A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support non-working age groups.
Ford County, Illinois Demographics: Racial and Ethnic Composition (2023)

Diversity & Cultural Composition of Ford County, Illinois
The racial makeup and ethnic composition of Ford County, Illinois are detailed below, drawing from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Diversity Index Score
- 17.70
- Diversity Tier
- very low
- Definition
- The probability that two individuals chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.
Diversity Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois racial and ethnic demographics with Illinois to understand regional diversity patterns.
Ford County, Illinois Diversity
17.70
very lowIllinois Diversity
61.43
highRacial and Ethnic Composition Comparison
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Alone (Non-Hispanic) | 90.54% | 57.09% | +33.5pp |
| Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) | 4.64% | 19.38% | -14.7pp |
| Two or More Races | 3.11% | 3.78% | -0.7pp |
| Asian Alone | 0.75% | 6.34% | -5.6pp |
| Black/African American Alone | 0.64% | 12.93% | -12.3pp |
| Some Other Race Alone | 0.30% | 0.33% | -0.0pp |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Alone | 0.03% | 0.11% | -0.1pp |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.00% | 0.02% | -0.0pp |
| Diversity Index Score | 17.70 | 61.43 | -43.73 |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher Diversity Index Scores (green) indicate greater racial/ethnic diversity.
Ford County, Illinois Economic Demographics: Household Income Statistics (2023)

Economic Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data illustrates the financial landscape of Ford County, Illinois, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Median Household Income
- $60,782 (Adjusted for inflation)
- Total Households Analyzed
- 5,728
Income Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois household income with Illinois to understand regional economic patterns.
Ford County, Illinois
$60,782
Illinois
$83,211
Income Distribution Comparison
| Income Bracket | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 16.88% | 11.32% | +5.6pp |
| $20,000 to $34,999 | 13.13% | 9.17% | +4.0pp |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 12.43% | 9.91% | +2.5pp |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 15.73% | 14.77% | +1.0pp |
| $75,000 to $149,999 | 29.78% | 30.69% | -0.9pp |
| $150,000 or more | 12.05% | 24.14% | -12.1pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in high-income brackets (green) indicate greater affluence compared to Illinois.
Ford County, Illinois Real Estate Demographics: Property Values (2023)

Real Estate Market Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data highlights the distribution of owner-occupied housing values in Ford County, Illinois, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Median Property Value
- $118,100
- Total Properties Analyzed
- 4,245 (Owner-occupied units)
Property Value Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois property values with Illinois to understand regional real estate market patterns.
Ford County, Illinois
$118,100
Illinois
$280,700
Property Value Distribution Comparison
| Value Bracket | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $25,000 | 4.78% | 2.91% | +1.9pp |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 5.18% | 2.44% | +2.7pp |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 25.09% | 7.65% | +17.4pp |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 44.43% | 19.43% | +25.0pp |
| $200,000 to $499,999 | 18.89% | 50.96% | -32.1pp |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 1.20% | 15.26% | -14.1pp |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.42% | 1.35% | -0.9pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in high-value brackets (green) indicate more expensive real estate compared to Illinois.
Ford County, Illinois Educational Attainment Statistics (2023)

Education Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following statistics represent the educational background of residents aged 25 and older in Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- High School Graduate or Higher
- 91.90%
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
- 19.44%
- Total Population Analyzed (25+)
- 9,296
Education Level Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois educational attainment with Illinois to understand regional education patterns.
Bachelor's+ in Ford County, Illinois
19.44%
Bachelor's+ in Illinois
39.23%
Detailed Education Level Comparison
| Education Level | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than HS | 8.10% | 9.28% | -1.2pp |
| HS Graduate | 36.09% | 24.61% | +11.5pp |
| Some College/Associate's | 36.37% | 26.88% | +9.5pp |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12.46% | 23.32% | -10.9pp |
| Graduate/Professional | 6.98% | 15.91% | -8.9pp |
| HS Graduate or Higher | 91.90% | 90.72% | +1.2pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher percentages in advanced education levels (green badges) indicate higher educational attainment compared to Illinois.
Ford County, Illinois Health Insurance Coverage Statistics (2023)

Healthcare Coverage Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data illustrates the health coverage landscape of Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Overall Uninsured Rate
- 5.6%
- Total Uninsured Population
- 733
- Total Civilian Population
- 12,999
The uninsured rates vary significantly by demographic group. Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare.
Health Insurance Coverage Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois health insurance coverage with Illinois to understand regional healthcare access patterns.
Uninsured in Ford County, Illinois
5.6%
Uninsured in Illinois
6.9%
Uninsured Rates by Age and Sex
| Age Group | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| Under 18 | 5.7% | 1.4% | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| 18-34 years | 10.7% | 7.4% | 13.8% | 9.9% |
| 35-64 years | 7.7% | 7.7% | 9.8% | 7.7% |
| 65+ years | 0.9% | 0.0% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
Note: Lower uninsured rates indicate better health insurance coverage. The 18-34 age group typically has the highest uninsured rates, while seniors 65+ have near-universal coverage through Medicare.
Ford County, Illinois Nativity & Citizenship Statistics (2023)

Citizenship Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data details the citizenship status and nativity of the population in Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- U.S. Citizenship Rate
- 98.5% (Native-born + Naturalized)
- Naturalized Citizens
- 135 (Foreign-born individuals who acquired citizenship)
- Non-Citizen Residents
- 206
Citizenship Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois citizenship and nativity with Illinois to understand regional immigration and naturalization patterns.
Citizenship in Ford County, Illinois
98.5%
Citizenship in Illinois
92.6%
Nativity and Citizenship Comparison
| Nativity/Citizenship Status | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the United States | 97.0% | 83.4% | +13.6pp |
| Born in PR or U.S. Territories | 0.0% | 0.4% | -0.4pp |
| Born abroad of American parent(s) | 0.5% | 0.9% | -0.4pp |
| U.S. citizen by naturalization | 1.0% | 8.0% | -7.0pp |
| Not a U.S. citizen | 1.5% | 7.4% | -5.9pp |
| Total U.S. Citizens | 98.5% | 92.6% | +5.9pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher naturalization rates (green) indicate greater immigrant integration compared to Illinois.
Ford County, Illinois Commuting & Transportation Statistics (2023)

Commuter Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data details the commuting habits of the workforce in Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Drove to Work (Car/Truck/Van)
- 87.5%
- Public Transportation Usage
- 0.0%
- Work From Home Rate
- 8.8%
- Total Workers Analyzed
- 6,115
Transportation Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois commuting patterns with Illinois to understand regional transportation preferences.
Drove in Ford County, Illinois
87.5%
Drove in Illinois
74.3%
Commute Mode Comparison
| Transportation Method | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 87.5% | 74.3% | +13.2pp |
| Public transportation | 0.0% | 7.0% | -7.0pp |
| Bicycle | 0.4% | 0.6% | -0.2pp |
| Walked | 2.7% | 3.1% | -0.4pp |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other | 0.5% | 1.4% | -0.9pp |
| Worked from home | 8.8% | 13.6% | -4.8pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Higher public transit or work-from-home rates (green) indicate more diverse commuting options compared to Illinois.
Ford County, Illinois Employment by Class of Worker (2023)

Workforce Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following statistics categorize the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Ford County, Illinois by their employment sector, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Employed Civilian Population
- 6,172
- Private Sector (Profit & Non-Profit)
- Includes For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations
- Government Workers
- Includes Local, State, and Federal employees
- Self-Employed Workers
- Includes own not incorporated business workers
Employment Sector Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois employment patterns with Illinois to understand regional workforce composition differences.
Government Employment in Ford County, Illinois
4.4% (M) / 7.9% (F)
Government Employment in Illinois
5.6% (M) / 7.7% (F)
Employment Sector Comparison
| Employment Sector | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private For-Profit (Combined) | M: 42.5% F: 28.4% | M: 40.0% F: 31.7% | M: +2.5pp F: -3.3pp |
| Private Non-Profit | M: 1.9% F: 6.0% | M: 3.3% F: 6.9% | M: -1.4pp F: -0.9pp |
| Government (All Levels) | M: 4.4% F: 7.9% | M: 5.6% F: 7.7% | M: -1.2pp F: +0.2pp |
| Self-Employed | M: 4.9% F: 3.5% | M: 2.7% F: 1.9% | M: +2.2pp F: +1.6pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. M = Male, F = Female. Green badges indicate higher government employment compared to Illinois.
Definitions: "Private sector" includes employees of for-profit and non-profit companies. "Government" includes all local, state, and federal employees. "Self-employed" refers to those operating their own unincorporated businesses.
Ford County, Illinois Veteran Population & Service Statistics (2023)

Veteran Community Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data details the civilian veteran population aged 18 and over in Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Civilian Veterans
- 876
- Primary Service Era
- Vietnam Era Only
261 veterans (29.8%)
Veteran Population Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois veteran demographics with Illinois to understand regional veteran service patterns.
Total Veterans in Ford County, Illinois
876
Total Veterans in Illinois
493,667
- Ford County, Illinois: Vietnam Era Only (29.8%)
- Illinois: Vietnam Era Only (33.8%)
Service Period Distribution Comparison
| Service Period | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Era Only | 29.8% (261) | 33.8% (167,029) | -4.0pp |
| Between Gulf War & Vietnam | 22.7% (199) | 14.7% (72,625) | +8.0pp |
| Post-9/11 Only | 14.7% (129) | 15.7% (77,477) | -1.0pp |
| Gulf War Only | 13.8% (121) | 13.0% (64,276) | +0.8pp |
| Between Vietnam & Korean | 11.8% (103) | 8.0% (39,388) | +3.8pp |
| Korean War Only | 4.8% (42) | 5.5% (26,956) | -0.7pp |
| Post-9/11 + Gulf War | 1.3% (11) | 5.9% (29,308) | -4.6pp |
| Gulf War + Vietnam | 0.7% (6) | 0.8% (4,181) | -0.1pp |
| WWII Only | 0.3% (3) | 1.6% (8,078) | -1.3pp |
| Vietnam + Korean | 0.1% (1) | 0.1% (709) | 0.0pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Comparisons show relative proportions of veteran populations by service era.
Note: Periods of service include World War II (Dec 1941–Dec 1946), Korean War (Jul 1950–Jan 1955), Vietnam Era (Aug 1964–Apr 1975), Gulf War (Aug 1990–Aug 2001), and Post-9/11 (Sept 2001 or later). Veterans may have served in multiple eras.
Ford County, Illinois Family Poverty & Income Statistics (2023)

Family Economic Security Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data categorizes families in Ford County, Illinois by their income relative to the federal poverty threshold, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Families Below Poverty Line (<100%)
- 7.7% (278 families)
- Families Near Poverty (100-199%)
- 36.0% (1,295 families)
- Families with Secure Income (200%+)
- 56.2% (2,021 families)
Poverty Rate Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois poverty levels with Illinois to understand regional economic disparities.
Poverty Rate in Ford County, Illinois
7.7%
Below poverty linePoverty Rate in Illinois
8.0%
Below poverty lineIncome-to-Poverty Ratio Distribution Comparison
| Income Category | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below Poverty (<100%) | 7.7% (278) | 8.0% (251,655) | -0.3pp |
| Near Poverty (100-199%) | 36.0% (1,295) | 25.2% (791,090) | +10.8pp |
| Economic Security (200%+) | 56.2% (2,021) | 66.8% (2,096,595) | -10.6pp |
| Detailed Breakdown | |||
| Below 50% of Poverty | 5.1% | 3.8% | +1.3pp |
| 50-74% of Poverty | 0.4% | 2.0% | -1.6pp |
| 75-99% of Poverty | 2.3% | 2.2% | +0.1pp |
| 100-124% of Poverty | 2.6% | 2.7% | -0.1pp |
| 125-149% of Poverty | 6.2% | 2.8% | +3.4pp |
| 150-174% of Poverty | 5.1% | 3.0% | +2.1pp |
Note: "pp" indicates percentage points. Red badges indicate higher poverty; green badges indicate lower poverty compared to Illinois.
Definition: The "Income-to-Poverty Ratio" measures a family's income against the federal poverty threshold. A ratio below 1.00 means the family is in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 indicate low income ("near poverty"), while ratios of 2.00 or higher suggest greater economic security.
Ford County, Illinois SNAP/Food Stamps Statistics (2023)

SNAP Participation Snapshot for Ford County, Illinois
The following data details household participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Ford County, Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Households Receiving SNAP
- 1,005 (17.55% of all households)
- Recipient Households with Children
- 492 (48.96% of recipients)
- Total Households Analyzed
- 5,728
SNAP Participation Comparison with Illinois
Compare Ford County, Illinois SNAP participation with Illinois to understand regional food assistance needs.
SNAP Participation in Ford County, Illinois
17.55%
1,005 householdsSNAP Participation in Illinois
13.38%
682,969 householdsSNAP Household Composition Comparison
| Household Type | Ford County, Illinois | Illinois | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With Children | No Children | With Children | No Children | |
| Married-Couple Family | 18.11% (182) | 7.26% (73) | 14.56% (99,422) | 7.75% (52,955) |
| Male Householder, No Spouse | 1.39% (14) | 2.19% (22) | 4.79% (32,693) | 3.57% (24,402) |
| Female Householder, No Spouse | 29.45% (296) | 0.40% (4) | 22.12% (151,063) | 8.44% (57,670) |
| Nonfamily Households | 0.00% (0) | 41.19% (414) | 0.61% (4,169) | 38.16% (260,595) |
| Total SNAP Recipients | 1,005 (17.55% of households) | 682,969 (13.38% of households) | ||
Note: Percentages represent the share of SNAP-receiving households in each category. Higher percentages in households with children often indicate targeting of families with greater nutritional needs.
About this data: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income families. Households with children often face higher participation rates due to eligibility guidelines prioritizing child nutrition. "Nonfamily households" typically refer to individuals living alone or with unrelated roommates.