Oquawka, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oquawka, Illinois had a total population of 1,059, the 683rd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $53,929, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.3% is notably above the national average.
Oquawka Quick Facts
How Oquawka 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 | 990 | 1,059 | +7.0% |
| Median household income | $51,477 | $53,929 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $87,200 | $92,000 | +5.5% |
How Oquawka 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+)
Oquawka Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stronghurst | 949 | $59,375 | 14.9% | $124,600 |
| Lomax | 318 | $51,875 | 11.0% | $79,000 |
| Biggsville | 294 | $86,250 | 10.9% | $83,500 |
| Carman | 250 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Gladstone | 237 | $50,000 | 10.1% | $59,400 |
| Media | 153 | $76,607 | 7.8% | $89,500 |
| Raritan | 134 | $68,750 | 14.2% | $87,500 |
Cities Similar to Oquawka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Hazel Crest | 1,068 | $54,950 | $158,300 | 14.5% | 24.3% |
| Lovington | 1,045 | $55,556 | $87,400 | 5.5% | 13.9% |
| Ramsey | 1,094 | $53,375 | $65,800 | 9.4% | 17.5% |
| Sandoval | 1,004 | $52,841 | $59,100 | 5.4% | 26.7% |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | $74,600 | 22.4% | 26.8% |
Population Overview
Oquawka is a small community located in Illinois, within Henderson County. The total population is 1,059. It ranks as the 683rd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oquawka is 49.8 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oquawka is $53,929. This is 35% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 14.3%. This is 145% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $92,000. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Oquawka is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oquawka has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.5% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oquawka, 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 Oquawka, Illinois?
Oquawka, Illinois has a population of 1,059 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oquawka, IL?
The median household income in Oquawka is $53,929, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oquawka, IL?
The poverty rate in Oquawka is 15.9%. This means approximately 164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oquawka, Illinois?
Oquawka's population is 91.5% White, 1.6% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oquawka, IL?
The median home value in Oquawka is $92,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Oquawka, Illinois?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Oquawka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.