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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watseka

Illinois · 4,679 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 $38,162. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 991 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $79,700. With a median age of 45.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 44% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 23%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,679
−17%since 2000
from 5,670 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,589 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,926 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.3
+13%since 2000
from 40.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Watseka
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,162
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,440 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,915
+50%since 2000
from $16,638 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 15.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$79,700
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$661
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $450 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.6%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 67.2% in 2000
39.4% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−8%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.6%(3,957)
Black1.5%(72)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(370)
Asian0.6%(30)
Other1.7%(80)
Diversity Score27.8%(1,302)
Diversity Score
28
+206%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.8%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.9 min
+16%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 57.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.6%
−23.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.9%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
57.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−83.8 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watseka, Illinois?

Watseka, Illinois has about 4,679 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watseka, Illinois?

The typical household in Watseka, Illinois earns about $38,162 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 $79,700, and the typical rent is about $661 a month.

How educated are people in Watseka, Illinois?

About 10.0% 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 12.9% 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 745 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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

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