Pope County Demographics

A map of Pope County's Population by Race

Pope County, Illinois has an estimated population of 3,739, a less than 1% change from the 3,763 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 88.7% White, 4.8% Black, 3.0% Hispanic, 2.8% Multiracial, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Pope County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Pope has become considerably 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 Pope County, that probability was 13.7% in 2020 and 20.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Pope County is ranked the 101st most populous county in Illinois, out of 102 counties. Pope County was ranked the 101st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Pope County's White Population

3,317 residents of Pope County, or 88.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Pope County is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Pope County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's White population has declined by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Pope County's population has decreased from 92.8% to 88.7%.

Pope County is more White than neighboring Massac County (86.3% White), and Johnson County (80.1% White). Pope County is less White than neighboring Livingston County (94.1% White), Hardin County (95.7% White), and Saline County (91.3% White).

Pope County's Black Population

179 residents of Pope County, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Pope County is lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Pope County ranks 61st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's Black population has grown by an estimated 371.1%. Black residents' share of Pope County's population has increased from 1.0% to 4.8%.

Pope County is more Black than neighboring Livingston County (0.1% Black), Hardin County (1.4% Black), and Saline County (3.1% Black). Pope County is less Black than neighboring Massac County (6.4% Black), and Johnson County (7.8% Black).

Pope County's Asian Population

1 residents of Pope County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Pope County is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Pope County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 93.8%. Asian residents' share of Pope County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Pope County is less Asian than neighboring Massac County (0.3% Asian), Livingston County (0.1% Asian), Johnson County (0.2% Asian), and Saline County (0.5% Asian).

Pope County's Hispanic Population

111 residents of Pope County, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Pope County is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Pope County ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 56.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Pope County's population has increased from 1.9% to 3.0%.

Pope County is more Hispanic than neighboring Massac County (2.9% Hispanic), Livingston County (2.5% Hispanic), Hardin County (0.9% Hispanic), and Saline County (2.2% Hispanic). Pope County is less Hispanic than neighboring Johnson County (4.5% Hispanic).

Pope County's Native American/Other Population

28 residents of Pope County, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Pope County is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Pope County ranks 102nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 2700.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Pope County's population has increased from 0.0% to 0.7%.

Pope County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Massac County (0.3% Native American/Other), Livingston County (0.1% Native American/Other), Hardin County (0.2% Native American/Other), Johnson County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Saline County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Pope County's Multiracial Population

103 residents of Pope County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Pope County is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Pope County ranks 28th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Pope County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 29.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Pope County's population has decreased from 3.9% to 2.8%.

Pope County is more Multiracial than neighboring Hardin County (1.7% Multiracial), and Saline County (2.6% Multiracial). Pope County is less Multiracial than neighboring Massac County (3.9% Multiracial), Livingston County (3.1% Multiracial), and Johnson County (7.2% 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.