Galesburg, IL Demographics

A map of Galesburg's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	20,883	21,088	70.8%	70.2%
Black	3,780	4,215	12.8%	14.0%
Hispanic	2,591	2,552	8.8%	8.5%
Multiracial	1,495	1,670	5.1%	5.6%
Asian	559	301	1.9%	1.0%
Native American/Other	173	226	0.6%	0.8%

Galesburg, Illinois has an estimated population of 29,481, a slight decrease from the 30,052 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 70.8% White, 12.8% Black, 8.8% Hispanic, 5.1% Multiracial, 1.9% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Galesburg, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Galesburg has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Galesburg, that probability was 47.8% in 2020 and 47.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Galesburg is ranked the 67th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Galesburg was ranked the 66th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Galesburg's White Population

20,883 residents of Galesburg, or 70.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Galesburg is considerably higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Galesburg ranks 1235th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Galesburg's population has increased from 70.2% to 70.8%.

Galesburg is less White than neighboring East Galesburg (94.7% White), Henderson (74.3% White), Knoxville (96% White), Wataga (89.3% White), and Abingdon (89.2% White).

Galesburg's Black Population

3,780 residents of Galesburg, or 12.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Galesburg is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Galesburg ranks 113th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.3%. Black residents' share of Galesburg's population has decreased from 14.0% to 12.8%.

Galesburg is more Black than neighboring East Galesburg (0% Black), Henderson (7.4% Black), Knoxville (0.5% Black), Wataga (1.5% Black), and Abingdon (0.1% Black).

Galesburg's Asian Population

559 residents of Galesburg, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Galesburg is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Galesburg ranks 380th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's Asian population has grown by an estimated 85.7%. Asian residents' share of Galesburg's population has increased from 1.0% to 1.9%.

Galesburg is more Asian than neighboring East Galesburg (0% Asian), Henderson (0% Asian), Knoxville (0.1% Asian), Wataga (0.1% Asian), and Abingdon (0.1% Asian).

Galesburg's Hispanic Population

2,591 residents of Galesburg, or 8.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Galesburg is lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Galesburg ranks 304th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Galesburg's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.8%.

Galesburg is more Hispanic than neighboring East Galesburg (3.9% Hispanic), Knoxville (0.2% Hispanic), Wataga (3.2% Hispanic), and Abingdon (8% Hispanic). Galesburg is less Hispanic than neighboring Henderson (10.6% Hispanic).

Galesburg's Native American/Other Population

173 residents of Galesburg, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Galesburg is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Galesburg ranks 235th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 23.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Galesburg's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Galesburg is more Native American/Other than neighboring East Galesburg (0% Native American/Other), Henderson (0% Native American/Other), Knoxville (0% Native American/Other), and Abingdon (0% Native American/Other).

Galesburg's Multiracial Population

1,495 residents of Galesburg, or 5.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Galesburg is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Galesburg ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Galesburg's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 10.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Galesburg's population has decreased from 5.6% to 5.1%.

Galesburg is more Multiracial than neighboring East Galesburg (1.4% Multiracial), Knoxville (3.2% Multiracial), and Abingdon (2.5% Multiracial). Galesburg is less Multiracial than neighboring Henderson (7.7% Multiracial), and Wataga (5.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.