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CITY · 2010 ACS

Ottawa

Illinois · 18,768 residents · 14.895 sq mi
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The short version

Ottawa has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $46,556. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $123,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.2
US median: 37.2
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
18,768
+3%since 2000
from 18,307 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,260 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,229 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.2
+5%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K18K18K19K19K1990201020202024Ottawa
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,556
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,513 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,077
+29%since 2000
from $19,426 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
26.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.417
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information16.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.4%
US avg: 7%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services2.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$123,500
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$666
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $490 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
45.7%
−21.7 ptssince 2000
from 67.4% in 2000
32.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 23.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
+10%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ottawa on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(16,756)
Black1.3%(241)
Hispanic / Latino5.2%(954)
Asian0.8%(152)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.5%(3,210)
2010
White, non-Hispanic88.3%(16,566)
Black1.9%(357)
Hispanic / Latino7.5%(1,406)
Asian0.9%(172)
Other3.2%(606)
Diversity Score30.2%(5,664)
Diversity Score
30
+72%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 82.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+34%since 2000
from 15.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
29.1%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.4%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ottawa

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Pop 19,395
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Pop 18,791
Davenport
Pop 18,110
Ojus
Pop 19,198
Places similar to Ottawa
Head to head

Compare Ottawa to nearby cities

OTTAWA VS
LaSalle
Income$57,732+24%
Home value$113,500−8%
Population9,388−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTAWA VS
Streator
Income$57,609+24%
Home value$94,700−23%
Population12,190−35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTAWA VS
Peru
Income$74,808+61%
Home value$154,300+25%
Population9,780−48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OTTAWA VS
Morris
Income$76,711+65%
Home value$247,400+100%
Population14,669−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ottawa, Illinois?

Ottawa, Illinois has about 18,768 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ottawa, Illinois?

The typical household in Ottawa, Illinois earns about $46,556 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ottawa, Illinois expensive?

In Ottawa, Illinois, the median home is worth about $123,500, and the typical rent is about $666 a month.

How educated are people in Ottawa, Illinois?

About 18.8% of adults age 25 and over in Ottawa, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ottawa, Illinois?

About 12.3% of people in Ottawa, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ottawa, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Ottawa, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,306 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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