Perry County

Perry County, Illinois — key demographics (latest U.S. Census Bureau data: 2020 Decennial Census; 2019–2023 ACS 5-year; 2023 Population Estimates)

Population size

• Total population: ~20,100 (2023 estimate; down from 20,945 in 2020)

Age

• Median age: ~41 years
• Under 18: ~18%
• 18–64: ~62%
• 65 and over: ~20%

Gender

• Male: ~56%
• Female: ~44%
• Note: Elevated male share reflects institutionalized population (state correctional facility)

Race and ethnicity

• White (alone): ~81%
• Black or African American (alone): ~13%
• American Indian/Alaska Native (alone): ~0.3%
• Asian (alone): ~0.4%
• Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (alone): ~0.1%
• Two or more races: ~3–4%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~3%
• White, non-Hispanic: ~79%

Households and housing

• Total households: ~7,700–7,800
• Average household size: ~2.3
• Family households: ~63% of households
• Married-couple households: ~46% of households
• Households with children under 18: ~25%
• One-person households: ~30%
• Homeownership rate: ~75%

Insights

• The county has experienced modest population decline since 2010.
• Demographics are predominantly White with a comparatively higher Black share than many rural Illinois counties.
• Household structure skews toward owner-occupied, smaller households with a majority of family households.

Perry County, IL snapshot

• Population and density: ≈20,900 residents; ≈47 people per square mile. Largest towns: Du Quoin and Pinckneyville.
• Estimated email users: ≈15,000 adult users (applying ~92% email adoption among adults to the county’s adult population). Including teens, total email users are near three-quarters of all residents.
• Age distribution (residents): ≈20% under 18; 24% ages 18–34; 27% ages 35–54; 12% ages 55–64; 17% 65+. Email use is near-universal for 18–64 (≈92–97%) and high among 65+ (≈85%), so about one-third of email users are 50+.
• Gender split: Overall population skews male (55% male, ~45% female) due to Pinckneyville Correctional Center. Among likely email users (non‑institutionalized adults), usage is roughly even by gender (50/50).
• Digital access and trends: About 80% of households subscribe to broadband; most have a computer and/or smartphone, with roughly 1 in 10 being smartphone‑only. Cable/fiber service is concentrated in Du Quoin and Pinckneyville; many rural areas rely on fixed wireless or legacy DSL. 4G LTE coverage is broad; 5G is emerging in and around the main towns.

Insights: Email is a mature, work‑ and school‑anchored channel with strong reach across ages; rural last‑mile constraints modestly limit intensity, not basic access.

Mobile phone usage in Perry County, Illinois — 2024 snapshot

Size of the mobile market (user estimates)

• Population baseline: ≈20,200 residents; land area ≈445 sq mi (low density).
• Non-institutionalized population: roughly 86–88% of residents, reflecting a sizable state correctional population in the county. This matters because incarcerated adults are counted in population totals but are not part of the consumer mobile market.
• Mobile users (12+ years, non-institutionalized): 15,000–15,500 people.
• Smartphone users: 12,600–13,300 (about 83–86% of the non‑institutionalized population age 12+).
• 5G‑capable devices: 9,200–10,000 (about 60–65% of mobile users), with active 5G usage below that due to patchier mid‑band coverage outside towns.
• Prepaid/MVNO lines: 35–40% of active lines, materially above the Illinois average (≈25–28%), driven by lower median incomes and price sensitivity.
• Platform mix: Android likely holds a majority share (≈55–60%) vs. iOS (≈40–45%), the inverse of statewide patterns in urban/suburban markets.

Demographic breakdown relevant to mobile usage

• Age: Older than the state overall. Residents 65+ are about 20–22% (Illinois ≈16%). This skews plan selection toward lower-cost tiers and stretches upgrade cycles; smartphone adoption among seniors lags the adult average by 15–25 percentage points.
• Income: Median household income ≈$55–60k (Illinois ≈$75–80k). Higher uptake of prepaid/MVNO offerings, family plans, and refurbished devices; lower penetration of premium unlimited plans and high-end flagships.
• Institutionalized population: Approximately 10–14% of total residents versus ≈2–3% statewide. This inflates headline adult counts but not the addressable consumer base; using non‑institutionalized denominators yields a more accurate view of mobile use.
• Household broadband profile: Household broadband subscription rates are several points below the state average, and reliance on “cellular data as primary internet” is several points higher. Expect above-average use of hotspot features and fixed wireless access in areas with limited cable/fiber.

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• Macro cellular grid: Sparse rural grid with roughly two dozen macro sites countywide; coverage is strongest along US‑51, IL‑13/127, and within Du Quoin and Pinckneyville. Small-cell density is minimal outside of town centers.
• 4G LTE: Near-universal outdoor coverage for the population and major roadways from the national carriers; indoor coverage is variable in the fringes and in metal‑roof structures typical of rural construction.
• 5G:
  • Low-band 5G covers most populated areas but performs similarly to strong LTE.
  • Mid-band 5G is concentrated in and between towns and along main corridors; it drops off quickly on secondary roads and in low-density areas. As a result, real‑world 5G availability trails the device penetration rate.
• Backhaul and fiber: Cable and regional fiber backhaul in towns (e.g., Du Quoin, Pinckneyville) support higher-capacity sites. Rural sectors often ride older microwave or limited backhaul, constraining peak speeds and capacity at the cell edge.
• Fixed broadband interplay: Cable is common in town; fiber has expanded via regional providers and electric‑co‑op builds but is not yet universal. Legacy DSL remains in pockets. Where wired options are weak, residents lean on mobile data and fixed wireless access, which increases evening congestion on nearby cellular sectors.

How Perry County differs from Illinois overall

• Adoption level: Smartphone adoption is modestly lower (by roughly 3–6 percentage points) than the state average once you adjust for the non‑institutionalized population and older age structure.
• Plan mix: Prepaid/MVNO share is substantially higher (+8–12 percentage points), reflecting income and credit mix; multi‑line family discounts are important for postpaid retention.
• Devices: Android’s share is higher (+8–12 percentage points) than statewide norms; upgrade cycles are longer, and refurbished/previous‑generation models are more common.
• 5G reality: Despite healthy 5G device ownership, practical mid‑band 5G availability is patchier than in metro Illinois, so average user experience gains over LTE are smaller and more location‑dependent.
• Performance and reliability: Median mobile speeds are generally lower and vary more by sector load and time of day; capacity constraints and backhaul limitations appear sooner than in metro areas during peak hours.
• Mobile-as-primary internet: A larger slice of households rely on mobile data or fixed wireless as their main connection, especially beyond cable footprints, increasing sensitivity to plan caps, hotspot allowances, and network management thresholds.

Bottom-line insights

• Addressable mobile user base is approximately 13–15 thousand smartphone users, with notable senior and price-sensitive segments.
• Network experience hinges on proximity to towns and major corridors: LTE is reliable, but mid‑band 5G is not yet ubiquitous enough to transform the average rural experience.
• Compared with Illinois overall, Perry County’s market tilts toward value plans, prepaid/MVNO, and Android, with slightly lower adoption and speed outcomes driven by demographics and infrastructure dispersion.

Perry County, IL social media snapshot (2025, modeled from U.S. Census ACS county demographics and Pew Research Center platform adoption for rural U.S.)

Size of the active user base

• Residents: ~20,900
• Estimated social media users (13+): ~14,500 (about 70% of total residents; roughly 79% of 13+)
• Smartphone ownership (adults): ~84%
• Home broadband subscription: ~83% of households

Age composition of social media users (share of user base)

• 13–17: 9%
• 18–24: 13%
• 25–34: 17%
• 35–44: 18%
• 45–54: 16%
• 55–64: 13%
• 65+: 14%

Gender breakdown of social media users

• Female: ~54%
• Male: ~46% Note: Although the county’s total population skews slightly male due to a correctional facility, the active social media audience skews female because incarcerated populations do not participate and women exhibit slightly higher engagement on key platforms.

Most-used platforms among online adults in the county (estimated penetration)

• YouTube: ~79%
• Facebook (incl. Groups/Marketplace): ~71%
• Facebook Messenger: ~62%
• Instagram: ~38%
• TikTok: ~29%
• Pinterest: ~33% overall; ~47–50% of women 18–64
• Snapchat: ~24% (majority under 30)
• WhatsApp: ~17%
• X (Twitter): ~13%
• LinkedIn: ~17%
• Reddit: ~12%
• Nextdoor: ~8% (limited neighborhood coverage)

Behavioral trends and content patterns

• Community-first usage: Facebook Groups, Pages, and Marketplace dominate local information exchange, buy/sell, school updates, and event coordination. Expect outsized engagement around high school sports, weather alerts, hunting/seasonal notices, and local government notices.
• Video-led consumption: Short-form video is growing fast among 18–34 on Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels, and TikTok; 35+ favors Facebook native video and YouTube how‑to, local news, and faith/community content.
• Event-driven spikes: County tentpoles (e.g., Du Quoin State Fair, festivals, varsity sports, severe-weather events) create sharp engagement surges on Facebook and YouTube; TikTok lifts among 18–34 during fair season.
• Messaging as a service channel: High reliance on Facebook Messenger for contacting local businesses and organizations; response-time expectations are short (same day).
• Time-of-day habits: Consistent peaks before work (6–8 a.m.), midday (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.), and evenings (7–9 p.m.), with Sunday evenings particularly strong for Facebook engagement.
• Platform roles:
  • Facebook: Primary local newsfeed, Groups, Marketplace; best broad-reach and community interaction.
  • YouTube: Evergreen how-to, local sports highlights, church services; strong for longer-form video.
  • Instagram: Visual storytelling for small businesses, youth sports highlights; strongest under 45.
  • TikTok: Trend and humor-driven local content; discovery among 18–34.
  • Pinterest: Projects, recipes, crafts, home improvement—robust female engagement.
  • Snapchat: Peer-to-peer among teens/young adults; ephemeral local moments.

Notes on methodology

• Figures are 2025 modeled estimates applying Perry County’s age/sex structure (ACS) to current rural U.S. platform adoption and usage rates (Pew). Platform splits reflect rural Midwest patterns and typical advertiser-reported reach adjusted for county size.