7th most populous of 102
With 283,790 residents in 2024, Winnebago County ranks 7th by population among Illinois's 102 counties and is home to 2.2% of the state's residents.
Winnebago County is home to 283,790 people (2024 estimate) on 513 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
283,790
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
285,371
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.6%
2020–2024
Land area
513 mi²
1,329 km²
Population density
553.1 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
3,204
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
3,236
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−32
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+1,609
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$55,188
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$18.8 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$65,837
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
15.6%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
25.2%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
8.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$164,500
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
5.6%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024283,790▲ 2%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 283,790 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 295,266 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 278,981 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +1.7% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,697 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −88 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.3 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 11.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Illinois | 7th of 102 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $55,188 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $18.8 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $65,837 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 25.2% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 8.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $164,500 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,021/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 39.6 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 116,014 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Winnebago County in context
Comparable indicators for Winnebago County, Illinois and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Illinois | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.6% | −0.9% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.3 | 9.9 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 11.4 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 5.7 | 4.5 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 553.1 | 229.0 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $55,188 | $74,522 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $65,837 | $83,390 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 11.8% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 25.2% | 37.8% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 8.9% | 14.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $164,500 | $263,300 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,021/month | $1,274/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 39.6 years | 39.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.9% | 67.1% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Did you know? Winnebago County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 278,981 in 2000 to 283,790 in 2024, a change of +1.7%, compared with +2.2% for Illinois as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 3,204 births and 3,236 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 32.
Peak population in 2008
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 295,726 in 2008. The 2024 figure is 11,936 lower.
6th in density
Winnebago County has about 553.1 residents per square mile of land, ranking 6th of 102 counties; Illinois averages 229.0.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $65,837 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 59th of 102 Illinois counties; the state median is $83,390.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $18.8 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 6th largest among 102 Illinois counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 1.0% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS