Rantoul, IL Demographics

A map of Rantoul's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,462	6,387	52.0%	51.6%
Hispanic	2,499	2,157	20.1%	17.4%
Black	2,218	2,720	17.9%	22.0%
Multiracial	1,127	882	9.1%	7.1%
Asian	105	146	0.8%	1.2%
Native American/Other	10	79	0.1%	0.6%

Rantoul, Illinois has an estimated population of 12,421, a less than 1% change from the 12,371 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 52.0% White, 20.1% Hispanic, 17.9% Black, 9.1% Multiracial, 0.8% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rantoul, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rantoul is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Rantoul, that probability was 64.9% in 2020 and 64.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rantoul is ranked the 192nd 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). Rantoul was ranked the 194th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rantoul's White Population

6,462 residents of Rantoul, or 52.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rantoul is lower than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Rantoul ranks 1346th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's White population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Rantoul's population has remained roughly unchanged at 52.0%.

Rantoul is less White than neighboring Thomasboro (83% White), Ludlow (64.5% White), Dewey (100% White), Gifford (90.9% White), and Paxton (92.2% White).

Rantoul's Black Population

2,218 residents of Rantoul, or 17.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rantoul is slightly higher than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Rantoul ranks 83rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's Black population has declined by an estimated 18.5%. Black residents' share of Rantoul's population has decreased from 22.0% to 17.9%.

Rantoul is more Black than neighboring Thomasboro (2.7% Black), Ludlow (0.5% Black), Dewey (0% Black), Gifford (0.6% Black), and Paxton (0.4% Black).

Rantoul's Asian Population

105 residents of Rantoul, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rantoul is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Rantoul ranks 337th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's Asian population has declined by an estimated 28.1%. Asian residents' share of Rantoul's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Rantoul is more Asian than neighboring Ludlow (0% Asian), Dewey (0% Asian), Gifford (0% Asian), and Paxton (0% Asian).

Rantoul's Hispanic Population

2,499 residents of Rantoul, or 20.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rantoul is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Rantoul ranks 133rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 15.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Rantoul's population has increased from 17.4% to 20.1%.

Rantoul is more Hispanic than neighboring Thomasboro (9.8% Hispanic), Dewey (0% Hispanic), Gifford (1.6% Hispanic), and Paxton (3% Hispanic). Rantoul is less Hispanic than neighboring Ludlow (28.8% Hispanic).

Rantoul's Native American/Other Population

10 residents of Rantoul, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rantoul is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Rantoul ranks 320th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 87.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rantoul's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.1%.

Rantoul is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dewey (0% Native American/Other), and Gifford (0% Native American/Other). Rantoul is less Native American/Other than neighboring Thomasboro (0.3% Native American/Other), Ludlow (0.5% Native American/Other), and Paxton (0.8% Native American/Other).

Rantoul's Multiracial Population

1,127 residents of Rantoul, or 9.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rantoul is higher than in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Rantoul ranks 64th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rantoul's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 27.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Rantoul's population has increased from 7.1% to 9.1%.

Rantoul is more Multiracial than neighboring Thomasboro (3.4% Multiracial), Ludlow (5.6% Multiracial), Dewey (0% Multiracial), Gifford (6.9% Multiracial), and Paxton (3.7% 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.