Thomson ZIP Codes — Carroll County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Thomson, Illinois and it is 61285. Area code: 815.

ZIP codes

44.44

sq mi land

16.03

sq mi water

815

area code

Thomson, IL ZIP code map

About Thomson, IL

Thomson, Illinois, is a small, picturesque town located in Carroll County. Known for its open spaces and serene environment, it provides a charming escape from urban life. With a rich history and a close-knit community, Thomson offers a unique blend of rural tranquility and local culture.

Location & geography

Thomson is situated approximately 30 miles from the larger city of Rockford to the southeast and about 25 miles from the historic town of Galena to the northwest. The area encompasses a total land area of 44.44 square miles, flanked by a water area that spans 16.03 square miles. This combination of land and water presents a diverse natural landscape, ideal for outdoor activities and exploration.

Community & economy

The community of Thomson is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong ties among residents. Many local industries focus on agriculture and small businesses, providing essential services and products to the area. Daily life in Thomson is often centered around community events, local markets, and enjoying the outdoors.

Transportation

Thomson is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 52, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Chicago Rockford International Airport located about 30 miles to the southeast, offering both domestic and limited international flights. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation.

History

Thomson was founded in the mid-19th century and has historically been known for its agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Key industries have helped shape the town's development, contributing to the local economy and community identity. Over the years, Thomson has also seen notable events that reflect its growth and resilience.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Thomson is that it is home to the Thomson Correctional Center, which has played a significant role in local employment. Additionally, the town provides access to scenic parks and the nearby Mississippi River, making it a lovely destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Thomson, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61285	Thomson	Carroll	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,661

Population

41.3

Median age

$74,311

Median household income

$24,027

Per capita income

$158,300

Median home value

$814

Median monthly rent

85.9%

Home ownership

12.3%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

939

Housing units

13.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

369

25–34

173

295

35–44

138

255

45–54

120

108

55–59

112

60–64

197

65–74

126

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	320	12.0%
18 and over	2,341	88.0%
65 and over	494	18.6%
Median age	41.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 78.9%

Black or African American 16.8%

Two or more races 2.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,118	78.9%
Black or African American	451	16.8%
Two or more races	60	2.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	29	1.1%
Hispanic or Latino	23	0.9%
Other race	3	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.3%

$10k–$15k 2.9%

$15k–$25k 6.0%

$25k–$35k 10.0%

$35k–$50k 6.0%

$50k–$75k 24.6%

$75k–$100k 11.3%

$100k–$150k 23.3%

$150k–$200k 10.0%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.3%
$10k–$15k	2.9%
$15k–$25k	6.0%
$25k–$35k	10.0%
$35k–$50k	6.0%
$50k–$75k	24.6%
$75k–$100k	11.3%
$100k–$150k	23.3%
$150k–$200k	10.0%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$74,311

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.1%

$50k–$100k 22.8%

$100k–$150k 16.7%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k–$300k 23.7%

$300k–$500k 12.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$158,300
Median rent / month	$814
Owner occupied	85.9%
Renter occupied	14.1%
Vacant	28.1%
Single-family detached	84.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	10.8%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.8%
2000–2009	18.2%
1990–1999	11.8%
1980–1989	5.6%
1970–1979	18.5%
1960–1969	7.6%
1950–1959	12.2%
1940–1949	5.4%
1939 or earlier	15.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	6.0%
1 bedroom	3.4%
2 bedrooms	37.1%
3 bedrooms	42.6%
4 bedrooms	10.1%
5+ bedrooms	0.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.9%
1 vehicle	18.9%
2 vehicles	40.9%
3 or more	38.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	62.5%
Electricity	8.7%
Propane / LP gas	25.0%
Wood	3.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	450	59.9%
Cohabiting couple	69	9.2%
Male householder, no spouse	109	14.5%
Female householder, no spouse	123	16.4%
Households with children under 18	190	25.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	322	42.9%
Average household size	2.45

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	57.9%	15.7%
Married	28.0%	64.0%
Separated	0.0%	1.2%
Widowed	2.5%	7.8%
Divorced	11.5%	11.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 12.4%

HS graduate 39.5%

Some college, no degree 22.7%

Associate's degree 6.0%

Bachelor's degree 11.2%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.1%
Bachelor's or higher	13.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	56	18.5%
Kindergarten	24	7.9%
Elementary school	79	26.1%
High school	79	26.1%
College / grad school	65	21.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 35.0%

Education & healthcare 20.4%

Retail trade 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 7.0%

Construction 6.5%

Finance & real estate 6.2%

Public administration 5.9%

Professional & management 3.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.4%

Other services 1.7%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.5%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.8%
Service	11.4%
Sales & office	12.8%
Natural resources & construction	2.8%
Production & transportation	41.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.0%
Government	13.3%
Self-employed	6.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.3%
Carpool	9.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.2%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.3

Poverty

All people 12.3%

Under 18 years 23.3%

18 and over 10.0%

Married-couple families 4.2%

Female-led households 7.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.7%
Retirement income	44.1%
Supplemental Security	4.9%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.0%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.4%
No physical activity	26.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.4%
Fair or poor health	15.4%
Poor mental health	12.4%
Poor physical health	10.8%
No health insurance	11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.7%
Visited dentist	63.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.6%
Teeth loss	15.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	190	8.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.6%
Under 18	4.4%
18–64 years	7.4%
65 and over	25.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.0%
Public insurance	40.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,557	96.1%
Spanish	30	1.2%
Other Indo-European	27	1.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,618	98.4%
Born in same state	2,576	96.8%
Born in different state	1,200	45.1%
Foreign born	42	1.6%
Naturalized citizen	43	1.6%
Not a US citizen	22	51.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	435	16.3%
Italian	245	9.2%
French	227	8.5%
English	83	3.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	28	1.1%
Dutch	13	0.5%
German	8	0.3%
Irish	7	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	28.2%
Internet access	90.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Thomson, IL have?

Thomson, IL has one ZIP code: 61285. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.