Kewanee city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kewanee city, Illinois has a total population of 12,280, the 194th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $49,668, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
Kewanee city Quick Facts
How Kewanee city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kewanee city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Kewanee city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rantoul village | 12,515 | $49,821 | $109,200 | 11.9% | 18.7% |
| Centralia city | 12,009 | $47,308 | $81,600 | 17.8% | 22.6% |
| Streator city | 12,274 | $54,953 | $88,000 | 12.3% | 20.6% |
| Herrin city | 12,271 | $58,501 | $109,100 | 23.8% | 17.4% |
| Justice village | 12,372 | $58,514 | $235,200 | 19.1% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Kewanee city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 12,280. It ranks as the 194th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kewanee city is 43.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kewanee city is $49,668. This is 39% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $70,000. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Kewanee city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kewanee city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kewanee city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kewanee city, Illinois?
Kewanee city, Illinois has a population of 12,280 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kewanee city, IL?
The median household income in Kewanee city is $49,668, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kewanee city, IL?
The poverty rate in Kewanee city is 15.1%. This means approximately 1,780 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kewanee city, Illinois?
Kewanee city's population is 78.1% White, 6.8% Black, 11.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kewanee city, IL?
The median home value in Kewanee city is $70,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Kewanee city, Illinois?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Kewanee city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.