Mill Shoals: Demographics & People
Mill Shoals is home to 126 people, in 67 households. Population shrank 8.7% from 138 (2022) to 126 (2024). Median age 56.5 years. (12.2y older than White County; 18.8y older than Illinois). Children under 18 are 10% of the population. Population is 96% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Asian. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.01). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 71 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 1.9 people per household (vs Illinois avg 2.5).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Illinois 38%).
- 88 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Illinois 64).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 8.7% from 138 (2022) to 126 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~115 (extrapolated at -4.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 101.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 16,179 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -8.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 138 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 126 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 126 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Population Estimate | 101 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 56.5y is 17.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 10% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 56.5 years (vs Illinois 37.7y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 10.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 126 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 13 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 26.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 41.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 46 |
| Population under 18 | 13 |
| Median age | 56.5 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 126 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.01 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 138 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 1.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 99.3% |
| Asian population | 3.2% (vs Illinois 6.1%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.8% (vs Illinois 17.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 96.0% (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 (5)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 4.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 5% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 78 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 36 |
| Share born in this state | 61.9% |
| Share born in another state | 38.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 28.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 286 |
Households & Family Composition
67 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 39 families, 15% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 31 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 39 |
| Married couples with children | 6 |
| Single-parent households | 1 |
| Average household size | 2.16 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 20.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 144 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 46 |
| Family households | 41 households (vs Illinois 9,709) |
| Households that are families | 61.2% (vs Illinois 62.4%) |
| Total households | 67 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. 11.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 71 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 14,753 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,682 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 71 |
| 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 | 38 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 22.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 12 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | IL-12 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 17191 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 17 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 191 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Wayne |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 31.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 24.60 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 38.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 17191 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Wayne County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 632 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 17191 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Wayne County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 43.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 40.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 49.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 16,215 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 11 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 10.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 126, shrinking, retirement community, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 126 people (vs Illinois 39,460) |
| Town Summary · County | Wayne County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade