Charleston Population 2026
Charleston has a population of 21,196, making it the #2240 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in Illinois. It is about 415× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
21,196
Rank in United States
#2240
Coordinates
39.50°N, 88.18°W
~204 m elevation · America/Chicago
Distance to capital (Washington)
962 km
597 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Illinois
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,664,452 | #3 |
| Aurora | 200,661 | #125 |
| Rockford | 148,278 | #184 |
| Joliet | 147,861 | #186 |
| Naperville | 147,100 | #190 |
| Peoria | 115,070 | #259 |
| Springfield | 114,394 | #262 |
| North Peoria | 113,004 | #266 |
Cities near Charleston
FAQ
What is the population of Charleston?
Charleston has a population of 21,196 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #2240 biggest city in United States.
What state is Charleston in?
Charleston is located in Illinois, United States.
Is Charleston the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 962 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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