Washington, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Washington, Illinois had a total population of 15,919, the 158th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $95,179, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Washington Quick Facts
How Washington 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 | 15,946 | 15,919 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $91,360 | $95,179 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $216,700 | $221,900 | +2.4% |
How Washington 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+)
Washington Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Tazewell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Peoria | 22,324 | $71,833 | 11.8% | $163,500 |
| Morton | 16,595 | $94,402 | 6.5% | $239,400 |
| Creve Coeur | 4,621 | $47,993 | 17.7% | $85,500 |
| Marquette Heights | 2,492 | $75,625 | 3.7% | $123,800 |
| Tremont | 2,366 | $79,810 | 5.1% | $187,400 |
| Mackinaw | 1,979 | $67,292 | 8.2% | $158,300 |
| North Pekin | 1,571 | $80,224 | 7.7% | $125,600 |
| Heritage Lake | 1,522 | $133,048 | 7.8% | $207,300 |
| Delavan | 1,489 | $62,841 | 11.0% | $123,600 |
| Minier | 1,102 | $88,542 | 6.3% | $148,400 |
Cities Similar to Washington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton | 16,595 | $94,402 | $239,400 | 46.4% | 6.5% |
| Westchester | 16,436 | $98,954 | $327,300 | 43.6% | 5.0% |
| Norridge | 15,439 | $87,807 | $374,900 | 31.5% | 7.9% |
| Prospect Heights | 15,618 | $85,008 | $346,500 | 41.3% | 7.3% |
| Swansea | 14,710 | $91,587 | $223,600 | 42.5% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Washington is a small city located in Illinois, within Tazewell County. The total population is 15,919. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Washington is 38.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Washington has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Washington is $95,179. This is 14% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 18% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.1%. This is 57% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $221,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Washington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Washington has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.7% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
43.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher 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 98.2%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Washington, 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.
Free data download: Get all Illinois city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Washington, Illinois?
Washington, Illinois has a population of 15,919 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Washington, IL?
The median household income in Washington is $95,179, which is 18% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Washington, IL?
The poverty rate in Washington is 5.1%. This means approximately 809 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Washington, Illinois?
Washington's population is 93.7% White, 0.4% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Washington, IL?
The median home value in Washington is $221,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Washington, Illinois?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.