Pekin, IL Demographics

A map of Pekin's Population by Race

Pekin, Illinois has an estimated population of 31,781, a less than 1% change from the 31,731 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.8% White, 3.5% Black, 3.5% Multiracial, 3.1% Hispanic, 0.7% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pekin, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pekin has become more 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 Pekin, that probability was 18.3% in 2020 and 20.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pekin is ranked the 61st 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). Pekin was ranked the 60th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Pekin's White Population

28,225 residents of Pekin, or 88.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pekin is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Pekin ranks 765th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's White population has declined by an estimated 1.4%. White residents' share of Pekin's population has decreased from 90.3% to 88.8%.

Pekin is more White than neighboring Creve Coeur (86.6% White), and Bartonville (88% White). Pekin is less White than neighboring North Pekin (94% White), Marquette Heights (89.2% White), and South Pekin (92.1% White).

Pekin's Black Population

1,106 residents of Pekin, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pekin is lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Pekin ranks 344th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's Black population has grown by an estimated 53.4%. Black residents' share of Pekin's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.5%.

Pekin is more Black than neighboring North Pekin (0.9% Black), Marquette Heights (0.1% Black), South Pekin (0% Black), and Bartonville (1.5% Black). Pekin is less Black than neighboring Creve Coeur (7.6% Black).

Pekin's Asian Population

212 residents of Pekin, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pekin is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Pekin ranks 495th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's Asian population has declined by an estimated 4.5%. Asian residents' share of Pekin's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Pekin is more Asian than neighboring Marquette Heights (0% Asian), and Creve Coeur (0% Asian). Pekin is less Asian than neighboring North Pekin (3.1% Asian), South Pekin (0.8% Asian), and Bartonville (2.3% Asian).

Pekin's Hispanic Population

983 residents of Pekin, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pekin is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Pekin ranks 859th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 30.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Pekin's population has increased from 2.4% to 3.1%.

Pekin is more Hispanic than neighboring North Pekin (0.5% Hispanic), Creve Coeur (1.7% Hispanic), and Bartonville (3% Hispanic). Pekin is less Hispanic than neighboring Marquette Heights (8.4% Hispanic), and South Pekin (5.5% Hispanic).

Pekin's Native American/Other Population

127 residents of Pekin, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pekin is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Pekin ranks 381st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 33.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pekin's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Pekin is more Native American/Other than neighboring North Pekin (0% Native American/Other), Marquette Heights (0% Native American/Other), South Pekin (0% Native American/Other), and Bartonville (0% Native American/Other). Pekin is less Native American/Other than neighboring Creve Coeur (0.5% Native American/Other).

Pekin's Multiracial Population

1,128 residents of Pekin, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pekin is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Pekin ranks 602nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Pekin's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Pekin's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Pekin is more Multiracial than neighboring North Pekin (1.5% Multiracial), Marquette Heights (2.3% Multiracial), and South Pekin (1.6% Multiracial). Pekin is less Multiracial than neighboring Creve Coeur (3.7% Multiracial), and Bartonville (5.1% 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.