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CITY

Wataga

Illinois · 712 residents (2025 est.) · 0.829 sq mi
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Part of the Galesburg micropolitan area
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The short version

Wataga has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,917. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 147 residents. 13% 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 $97,600. At a median age of 32.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
710
−17%since 2000
from 857 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
856 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,034 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.7
−10%since 2000
from 36.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:712 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6887558238909581990201020202024Wataga
2024710
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,917
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,205 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,882
+118%since 2000
from $15,553 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.7%
+29.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.368
−17%since 2010
from 0.444 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance16.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical16.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,600
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$636
−32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $510 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
74.3%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
25.7% rent
Vacancy rate
8.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.1%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wataga on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(834)
Black0.4%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(11)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(37)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.3%(634)
Black1.5%(11)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(23)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other5.8%(41)
Diversity Score24.8%(176)
Diversity Score
25
+468%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.1%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 83.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+58%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.8%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 94.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 69.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.8%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
45.1%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.2%
−43.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 10.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.2%
−80.5 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2017
from 83.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wataga to nearby cities

WATAGA VS
Galesburg
Income$48,297−23%
Home value$96,400−1%
Population28,581+3914%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATAGA VS
Monmouth
Income$61,138−3%
Home value$86,800−11%
Population8,599+1108%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATAGA VS
Kewanee
Income$50,886−19%
Home value$73,200−25%
Population12,115+1602%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATAGA VS
Moline
Income$67,701+8%
Home value$146,300+50%
Population42,362+5850%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wataga, Illinois?

Wataga, Illinois has about 710 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wataga, Illinois?

The typical household in Wataga, Illinois earns about $62,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wataga, Illinois expensive?

In Wataga, Illinois, the median home is worth about $97,600, and the typical rent is about $636 a month.

How educated are people in Wataga, Illinois?

About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Wataga, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wataga, Illinois?

About 9.3% of people in Wataga, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wataga, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Wataga, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 166 residents, a change of about -19 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Wataga, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy