Wheeler, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wheeler, Illinois had a total population of 130, the 1298th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $20,568, which is 75% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 46.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 75% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (46.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.6% is notably above the national average.
Wheeler Quick Facts
How Wheeler 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 | 93 | 130 | +39.8% |
| Median household income | $20,625 | $20,568 | -0.3% |
How Wheeler 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+)
Wheeler Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Jasper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 2,932 | $61,761 | 11.1% | $95,400 |
| Willow Hill | 304 | $36,591 | 40.1% | $50,000 |
| Ste. Marie | 281 | $86,250 | 4.3% | $102,400 |
| Yale | 66 | $37,917 | 54.5% | $67,900 |
| Hidalgo | 60 | $65,156 | 25.0% | N/A |
| Rose Hill | 54 | $41,250 | 29.6% | N/A |
| West Liberty | 43 | $35,556 | 0.0% | $52,000 |
Cities Similar to Wheeler
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Lake | 131 | N/A | N/A | 26.7% | 0.0% |
| Kingston | 132 | N/A | N/A | 14.3% | 82.6% |
| Walnut Hill | 127 | N/A | $31,600 | 9.1% | 47.2% |
| Burtons Bridge | 134 | N/A | $244,000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Westervelt | 134 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 130, Wheeler's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wheeler is a small community located in Illinois, within Jasper County. The total population is 130. It ranks as the 1298th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wheeler is 38.8 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wheeler is $20,568. This is 75% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 75% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 46.9%. This is 297% 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 13.6%. This is 134% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wheeler has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.5% vs 58.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wheeler, 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 Wheeler, Illinois?
Wheeler, Illinois has a population of 130 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wheeler, IL?
The median household income in Wheeler is $20,568, which is 75% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wheeler, IL?
The poverty rate in Wheeler is 46.9%. This means approximately 61 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wheeler, Illinois?
Wheeler's population is 91.5% White, 0.0% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wheeler, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Wheeler — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Wheeler, Illinois?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Wheeler hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.