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CITY · 2010 ACS

Watseka

Illinois · 5,255 residents · 2.944 sq mi
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The short version

Watseka has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,058. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $81,900. With a median age of 43.7, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 41% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,255
−7%since 2000
from 5,670 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,785 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 1,926 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
43.7
+9%since 2000
from 40.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Watseka
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,058
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,440 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,830
+13%since 2000
from $16,638 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
15.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.389
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information16.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade16.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical5.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$81,900
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$656
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $450 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
33.6%
−33.6 ptssince 2000
from 67.2% in 2000
39.9% rent
Vacancy rate
7.4%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
25.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 25.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
54.5%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.5
+9%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watseka on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(5,397)
Black0.6%(35)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(148)
Asian0.5%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.1%(516)
2010
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(4,919)
Black0.8%(41)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(189)
Asian0.7%(35)
Other1.2%(61)
Diversity Score14.9%(782)
Diversity Score
15
+64%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
2.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.0 min
+72%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
1.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.9%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
8.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
16.6%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
51.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.0%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Watseka to nearby cities

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Income$47,514+44%
Home value$104,900+28%
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WATSEKA VS
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WATSEKA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watseka, Illinois?

Watseka, Illinois has about 5,255 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watseka, Illinois?

The typical household in Watseka, Illinois earns about $33,058 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watseka, Illinois expensive?

In Watseka, Illinois, the median home is worth about $81,900, and the typical rent is about $656 a month.

How educated are people in Watseka, Illinois?

About 7.6% of adults age 25 and over in Watseka, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watseka, Illinois?

About 17.3% of people in Watseka, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watseka, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Watseka, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 169 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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