Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Golconda Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Golconda has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where Golconda beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 404 in 1860, a peak of 1,301 in 1940, 630 in 2020. The archive holds 10 old photos and papers going back to 1850 and 2 maps from 1916 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in Golconda, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
Ordered by what stands out in Golconda.
In Golconda, the average commute is 19 minutes, against 26 minutes in Illinois’ towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns. The median household income locally is $42,000. Only 6% of working residents stay in Golconda for work; the rest commute out. The town had 376 jobs in 2023, up 64 from 2013.
| Golconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 28% | 8.4% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 19 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $42,000 | $83,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 6.2% | 8.3% | 8% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Over the 12 months to September 2026, the typical home gained 4.2% in value. In Golconda, 62% of households live in a home they own, below both Illinois’ towns (75%) and U.S. towns (73%).
| Golconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $393 a month | $1,129 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 62% | 75% | 73% |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
For Golconda, the FEMA hazard score is 84 of 100. Flood insurance has paid one claim locally since 1986. FEMA puts 41% of the town’s expected hazard losses down to earthquakes, and 30% to inland flooding. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Golconda after 3 declared disasters, most recently in 2013.
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
The July high for Golconda comes to 89°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Among adults in Golconda, 18% smoke cigarettes. Of 32 CDC measures, Golconda beats the Illinois average on 1 and trails it on 14. Two figures for adults here: 41% have high blood pressure, 15% have diabetes.
| Golconda | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 13% | 14% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 35% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 11% | 12% |
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 18% | 13% | 14% |
| What stands out | Golconda | IL |
|---|---|---|
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 80% | 75.7% |
| More adults with COPD | 10.8% | 6.3% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Across 1 park or preserve: 0.3 miles of trail. Parks and preserves in Golconda: one, of 16 acres. The town’s trail network density is 0.6 miles per square mile.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Golconda Marina State Recreation Area | — | 16 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Golconda. Close and well known come first.
14 mi National forestShawnee National Forest18 mi Park & preserveGarden of the Gods Wilderness
20 mi Ancient siteKincaid Mounds State Historic Site
20 mi CaveCave-in-Rock State Park
39 mi GardenUniversity of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical GardenShawnee National Forest: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Garden of the Gods Wilderness: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site: Herb Roe, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cave-in-Rock State Park: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden: Dlove4000, CC BY-SA 3.0
None within 15 miles of Golconda; the nearest are
About 4 of every 100 Golconda residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Illinois.
Where Golconda’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
6 notable people were born in Golconda.
City in Illinois, United States
Golconda is a city in and the county seat of Pope County, Illinois, United States, located along the Ohio River. The population was 630 at the 2020 census. Most of the city is part of the Golconda Historic District.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Golconda has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
6 notable people were born here, including Mason Ramsey and John R. Hodge.
