The historical population data for the 62831 ZIP code in Du Bois, Illinois, reveals a predominantly remote rural lifestyle and minimal urban development activity over the past decade. With a land area of 40.57 square miles and a population density consistently below 22 people per square mile since 2010, the area is characterized by very sparse populations, limited infrastructure, and expansive land use per household.

The population has experienced a gradual decline from 867 in 2010 to 612 in 2022, with the population density decreasing from 21.37 to 15.09 people per square mile during the same period. This trend suggests that the area has not undergone significant urbanization or population growth, maintaining its remote rural character throughout the years.

Given the 2022 population of 612 and the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated number of housing units in the ZIP code is approximately 234. This low number of housing units spread across the 40.57 square mile area indicates that the typical land use involves large expanses of land per household, likely more than 5 acres, which is consistent with remote rural lifestyles.