Melvin: Demographics & People
Melvin's population stands at 430 people, in 179 households. Population grew 14.4% from 376 (2022) to 430 (2024). Median age 30.7 years. (11.2y younger than Ford County; 7.0y younger than Illinois). Children under 18 are 27% of the population. Population is 83% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.02). 55% of households are family-led. County health: 37% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Illinois avg 2.5).
- 45% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Illinois 38%).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Illinois 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 14.4% from 376 (2022) to 430 (2024) — about 23.9× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~493 (extrapolated at 7.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 588.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 18,679 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 14.4% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 376 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 430 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 430 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Population Estimate | 588 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 30.7y is 8.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 27% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 30.7 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 27.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 430 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 116 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 110.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 138.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 66 |
| Population under 18 | 116 |
| Median age | 30.7 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 430 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.02 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 326 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 1.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 99.1% |
| Black population | 0.5% (vs Illinois 9.3%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.0% (vs Illinois 17.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 83.3% (vs Illinois 54.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 358 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 48 |
| Share born in this state | 83.3% |
| Share born in another state | 16.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 11.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.2% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 13 |
| From Africa | 13 |
Households & Family Composition
179 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 55% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 84 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 83 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 84 |
| Married couples with children | 15 |
| Single-parent households | 6 |
| Average household size | 2.24 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 2.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 23 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 16 |
| Family households | 99 households (vs Illinois 9,709) |
| Households that are families | 55.3% (vs Illinois 62.4%) |
| Total households | 179 households (vs Illinois 14,867) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 23.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%.
| Moved within the county (past year) | 23.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 16,300 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 16,295 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 5 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 25 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.6% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | IL-02 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 17033 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 17 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 033 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Crawford |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 22.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 17.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 29.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 17033 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Crawford County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 599 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 17033 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Crawford County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 58.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 52.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 52.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 18,667 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 19 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 27.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 430, booming, young professional, working-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 430 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Town Summary · County | Crawford County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade