Gilson ZIP Codes — Knox County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Gilson, Illinois and it is 61436. Area code: 309.

ZIP codes

61.18

sq mi land

0.02

sq mi water

309

area code

Gilson, IL ZIP code map

About Gilson, IL

Gilson is a small village located in Knox County, Illinois. Nestled in the heart of the state, it provides a quaint and peaceful environment for residents and visitors alike. Known for its rural charm, Gilson offers a close-knit community feeling with the convenience of nearby urban amenities.

Location & geography

Gilson, IL, covers a land area of 61.18 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.02 square miles. This village is situated approximately 15 miles from Galesburg to the northwest and about 12 miles from Knoxville to the south. The terrain is predominantly flat and agricultural, characteristic of much of central Illinois.

Community & economy

The community in Gilson is reflective of small-town values, with a strong emphasis on friendliness and neighborly support. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, where agricultural activities play a significant role in the local economy. Daily life often revolves around community events, local gatherings, and outdoor activities in the surrounding rural areas.

Transportation

Gilson is conveniently located near Route 150, making it accessible for travel to larger neighboring cities. The nearest regional airport is Galesburg's LaSalle County Airport, providing essential air transport services. Public transportation options may be limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Founded in the 19th century, Gilson has a rich history linked to the agricultural development of the region. Historically, the village thrived on farming and related industries, which continue to play a vital role in its economy today. Notable events in Gilson's history include its incorporation, which marked its recognition as a municipality in the early 1900s.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Gilson is that it only has one ZIP code, which is 61436. Despite its small size, residents take pride in their community and work to maintain its historical roots and agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Gilson, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61436	Gilson	Knox	View map

Demographics & statistics

787

Population

59.1

Median age

$76,397

Median household income

$46,757

Per capita income

$173,800

Median home value

$817

Median monthly rent

85.6%

Home ownership

6.7%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

332

Housing units

19.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	96	12.2%
18 and over	691	87.8%
65 and over	196	24.9%
Median age	59.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1%

Group	Count	%
White	779	99%
American Indian / Alaska Native	8	1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.9%

$15k–$25k 3.8%

$25k–$35k 18.7%

$35k–$50k 2.2%

$50k–$75k 13.8%

$75k–$100k 26.3%

$100k–$150k 16.3%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 5.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.9%
$15k–$25k	3.8%
$25k–$35k	18.7%
$35k–$50k	2.2%
$50k–$75k	13.8%
$75k–$100k	26.3%
$100k–$150k	16.3%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	5.7%
Median income	$76,397

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.0%

$50k–$100k 19.0%

$100k–$150k 12.0%

$150k–$200k 16.5%

$200k–$300k 7.0%

$300k–$500k 24.7%

$500k–$1M 7.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$173,800
Median rent / month	$817
Owner occupied	85.6%
Renter occupied	14.4%
Vacant	4.2%
Single-family detached	95.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	4.2%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.21

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.2%
2000–2009	5.5%
1990–1999	2.1%
1980–1989	15.6%
1970–1979	14.3%
1960–1969	8.8%
1950–1959	5.7%
1940–1949	15.6%
1939 or earlier	27.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.5%
2 bedrooms	28.6%
3 bedrooms	53.2%
4 bedrooms	12.7%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.4%
1 vehicle	9.5%
2 vehicles	35.0%
3 or more	50.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.2%
Electricity	4.1%
Propane / LP gas	63.7%
Fuel oil	1.9%
Wood	2.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	247	66.9%
Cohabiting couple	18	4.9%
Male householder, no spouse	47	12.7%
Female householder, no spouse	57	15.4%
Households with children under 18	63	17.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	132	35.8%
Average household size	2.13

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.6%	10.0%
Married	68.3%	76.3%
Separated	2.3%	0.0%
Widowed	2.0%	9.4%
Divorced	1.7%	4.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.6%

Some HS, no diploma 4.9%

HS graduate 27.2%

Some college, no degree 23.9%

Associate's degree 24.1%

Bachelor's degree 13.7%

Graduate / professional 5.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.4%
Bachelor's or higher	19.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	11	10.3%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	39	36.4%
High school	29	27.1%
College / grad school	28	26.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.2%

Transportation & utilities 17.3%

Retail trade 11.5%

Manufacturing 7.5%

Agriculture & mining 6.3%

Public administration 6.3%

Construction 5.8%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.2%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Information 1.4%

Professional & management 1.4%

Other services 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.7%
Service	6.6%
Sales & office	27.4%
Natural resources & construction	7.5%
Production & transportation	22.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.6%
Government	22.2%
Self-employed	5.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	87.6%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.3

Poverty

All people 6.7%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 7.7%

Married-couple families 8.1%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.6%
Retirement income	24.7%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.8%
High cholesterol	37.0%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	28.5%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	7.4%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.8%
No physical activity	23.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.1%
Fair or poor health	13.4%
Poor mental health	12.3%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	66.1%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	12.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	43	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.0%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	3.4%
65 and over	25.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.2%
Public insurance	34.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	768	97.6%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	787	100.0%
Born in same state	787	100.0%
Born in different state	643	81.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	95	12.1%
Italian	84	10.7%
Arab	53	6.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	40	5.1%
Norwegian	7	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.9%
Internet access	91.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Gilson, IL have?

Gilson, IL has one ZIP code: 61436. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.