Charleston

County:: Coles County
County Seat:: Yes
Area (mi²):: 8.89
State:: Illinois

Charleston is a city located in Coles County, Illinois. Charleston has a 2025 population of 16,884. It is also the county seat of Coles County. Charleston is currently declining at a rate of -0.42% annually and its population has decreased by -2.09% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,244 in 2020.

The average household income in Charleston is $69,707 with a poverty rate of 25.27%. The median age in Charleston is 28.8 years: 28.6 years for males, and 29 years for females.

Demographics

The racial composition of Charleston includes 86.07% White, 7.91% Black or African American, and smaller percentages for Two or more races, Asian, other race, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.

Population by Race

White

Black or African American

Two or more races

Asian

Other race

Native American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Race	Population	Percentage (of total)
White	14,815	86.07%
Black or African American	1,361	7.91%
Two or more races	489	2.84%
Asian	346	2.01%
Other race	195	1.13%
Native American	4	0.02%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	2	0.01%

Charleston Marital Status

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Never Married

Economics and Income Statistics

Charleston's average per capita income is $38,191. Household income levels show a median of $49,057. The poverty rate stands at 25.27%.

Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.

Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.

Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.

Name	Median	Mean
Married Families	$83,574	-
Families	$66,356	$88,497
Households	$49,057	$69,707
Non Families	$30,406	$47,612

$38,191

Average Income

$49,057

Median Household Income

25.27%

Poverty Rate