Watseka, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watseka, Illinois had a total population of 4,780, the 341st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $43,608, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Watseka Quick Facts
How Watseka 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 | 4,630 | 4,780 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $42,794 | $43,608 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $104,400 | $103,700 | -0.7% |
How Watseka 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+)
Watseka Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Iroquois County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilman | 1,612 | $70,750 | 6.0% | $120,500 |
| Onarga | 1,430 | $78,352 | 8.6% | $99,300 |
| Clifton | 1,385 | $92,344 | 11.9% | $205,400 |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | 19.2% | $78,000 |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | 26.8% | $74,600 |
| Ashkum | 918 | $78,365 | 5.2% | $150,600 |
| Cissna Park | 903 | $56,667 | 14.6% | $130,300 |
| Danforth | 611 | $54,625 | 26.7% | $151,200 |
| Crescent City | 456 | $58,333 | 3.5% | $116,500 |
| Buckley | 422 | $53,500 | 15.4% | $96,800 |
Cities Similar to Watseka
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmi | 4,845 | $47,827 | $114,800 | 15.8% | 21.8% |
| Fairfield | 4,561 | $41,989 | $88,800 | 14.8% | 17.7% |
| Creve Coeur | 4,621 | $47,993 | $85,500 | 12.6% | 17.7% |
| Robbins | 4,556 | $40,668 | $121,300 | 13.8% | 28.7% |
| Flora | 4,475 | $47,148 | $77,300 | 12.3% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Watseka is a small community located in Illinois, within Iroquois County. The total population is 4,780. It ranks as the 341st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watseka is 47.7 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 39.0 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 is $43,608. This is 48% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.4%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 5.8%. The median home value is $103,700. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Watseka is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watseka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watseka, 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 Watseka, Illinois?
Watseka, Illinois has a population of 4,780 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watseka, IL?
The median household income in Watseka is $43,608, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watseka, IL?
The poverty rate in Watseka is 23.4%. This means approximately 1,078 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watseka, Illinois?
Watseka's population is 84.4% White, 1.3% Black, 6.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watseka, IL?
The median home value in Watseka is $103,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Watseka, Illinois?
12.2% of adults (25+) in Watseka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.