Mendota, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mendota, Illinois had a total population of 6,994, the 283rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,632, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Mendota Quick Facts
How Mendota 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 | 6,915 | 6,994 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $58,939 | $51,632 | -12.4% |
| Median home value | $121,100 | $134,100 | +10.7% |
How Mendota 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mendota Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in LaSalle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 18,447 | $71,413 | 17.3% | $154,000 |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | 20.3% | $94,700 |
| Peru | 9,775 | $74,808 | 9.0% | $154,300 |
| LaSalle | 9,498 | $57,732 | 18.8% | $113,500 |
| Lake Holiday | 5,641 | $107,875 | 2.9% | $256,400 |
| Marseilles | 4,279 | $58,217 | 21.5% | $142,500 |
| Oglesby | 3,570 | $76,189 | 9.6% | $139,700 |
| Sheridan | 2,519 | $85,250 | 10.9% | $186,400 |
| Seneca | 2,450 | $86,830 | 22.2% | $227,500 |
| Earlville | 1,942 | $63,553 | 16.5% | $142,200 |
Cities Similar to Mendota
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet Park | 6,855 | $53,556 | $184,700 | 25.8% | 14.1% |
| Benton | 6,863 | $54,123 | $87,200 | 17.6% | 17.7% |
| Litchfield | 6,834 | $53,958 | $104,200 | 21.6% | 16.3% |
| West Frankfort | 7,118 | $47,898 | $81,200 | 8.9% | 29.0% |
| Mount Carmel | 6,854 | $47,009 | $89,300 | 17.0% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Mendota is a small city located in Illinois, within LaSalle County. The total population is 6,994. It ranks as the 283rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mendota is 37.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Mendota is $51,632. This is 38% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Mendota is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Mendota is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 32.7%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (32.7% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 84.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mendota, 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 Mendota, Illinois?
Mendota, Illinois has a population of 6,994 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mendota, IL?
The median household income in Mendota is $51,632, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mendota, IL?
The poverty rate in Mendota is 14.1%. This means approximately 963 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mendota, Illinois?
Mendota's population is 61.6% White, 1.4% Black, 32.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mendota, IL?
The median home value in Mendota is $134,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Mendota, Illinois?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Mendota hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.