Watseka city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Watseka city is a small community located in Illinois. The total population is 4,630. It ranks as the 347th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.

Age Demographics

The median age in Watseka city is 46.4 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 13.6% 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 Watseka city is $42,794. This is 48% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 46% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 118% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $104,400. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Watseka city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Watseka city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 18.5%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 85.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Watseka 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.