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CITY

Wapella

Illinois · 497 residents (2025 est.) · 0.551 sq mi
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The short version

Wapella has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,818. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 171 residents. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $98,500. Poverty is rare here, at 3.8% of residents. Households here earn about 38% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 16%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
480
−26%since 2000
from 651 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
871 / sq mi
−26%since 2000
from 1,181 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.8
+20%since 2000
from 31.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:497 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4234855486106721990201020202024Wapella
2024480
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,818
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,961
+124%since 2000
from $17,395 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.9%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.8%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.422
+77%since 2010
from 0.239 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services11.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration11.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance8%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade5.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Information3.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,500
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$925
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $482 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
89.7%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.2% in 2000
10.3% rent
Vacancy rate
10.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.5%
+43.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+12%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
26
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wapella on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(641)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(6)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.3%(15)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(447)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(22)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other1.9%(9)
Diversity Score16.3%(78)
Diversity Score
16
+609%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.5%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.4%
+16.5 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 0.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+35%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.6%
−12.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.5%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 1.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
75.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 80.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
31.6%
−31.3 ptssince 2009
from 62.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
47.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
13.0%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.9%
−3.4 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−92.1 ptssince 2013
from 95.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2017
from 78.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2016
from 99.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Wapella to nearby cities

WAPELLA VS
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Income$77,384+49%
Home value$203,300+106%
Population78,804+15756%
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WAPELLA VS
Normal
Income$64,785+25%
Home value$213,600+117%
Population53,275+10619%
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WAPELLA VS
Lincoln
Income$57,340+11%
Home value$124,300+26%
Population12,981+2512%
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WAPELLA VS
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Income$51,592same
Home value$99,600+1%
Population67,884+13559%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wapella, Illinois?

Wapella, Illinois has about 480 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wapella, Illinois?

The typical household in Wapella, Illinois earns about $51,818 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wapella, Illinois expensive?

In Wapella, Illinois, the median home is worth about $98,500, and the typical rent is about $925 a month.

How educated are people in Wapella, Illinois?

About 16.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wapella, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wapella, Illinois?

About 3.8% of people in Wapella, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wapella, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Wapella, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 119 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

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