Kewanee, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kewanee, Illinois had a total population of 11,913, the 200th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $50,886, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Kewanee Quick Facts
How Kewanee Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,280 | 11,913 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $49,668 | $50,886 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $70,000 | $73,200 | +4.6% |
How Kewanee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kewanee Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Henry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneseo | 6,673 | $70,147 | 2.6% | $205,400 |
| Colona | 5,139 | $79,700 | 3.8% | $147,500 |
| Galva | 2,454 | $52,470 | 18.8% | $83,700 |
| Cambridge | 2,128 | $64,979 | 13.1% | $123,100 |
| Orion | 1,812 | $94,375 | 5.2% | $178,500 |
| Atkinson | 982 | $57,174 | 5.7% | $119,600 |
| Annawan | 865 | $70,729 | 6.7% | $135,100 |
| Alpha | 831 | $77,639 | 1.6% | $111,400 |
| Woodhull | 731 | $65,893 | 13.3% | $122,400 |
| Andover | 434 | $77,813 | 3.7% | $163,600 |
Cities Similar to Kewanee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centralia | 11,856 | $47,807 | $89,600 | 16.4% | 24.3% |
| Rantoul | 12,421 | $48,691 | $118,200 | 12.4% | 16.9% |
| Justice | 12,324 | $57,170 | $238,400 | 21.0% | 19.4% |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | $94,700 | 12.9% | 20.3% |
| Markham | 11,355 | $57,302 | $135,300 | 17.7% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Kewanee is a small city located in Illinois, within Henry County. The total population is 11,913. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kewanee is 46.3 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kewanee is $50,886. This is 39% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $73,200. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Kewanee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kewanee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.7%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kewanee, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kewanee, Illinois?
Kewanee, Illinois has a population of 11,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kewanee, IL?
The median household income in Kewanee is $50,886, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kewanee, IL?
The poverty rate in Kewanee is 17.9%. This means approximately 2,047 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kewanee, Illinois?
Kewanee's population is 78.7% White, 3.1% Black, 13.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kewanee, IL?
The median home value in Kewanee is $73,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Kewanee, Illinois?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Kewanee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.