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CITY · 2020 ACS

Watson

Illinois · 668 residents · 1.092 sq mi
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The short version

Watson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,500. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $77,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
668
−8%since 2000
from 729 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
612 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 668 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.0
+34%since 2000
from 28.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5836827818799781990201020202024Watson
2024620
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,500
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,028 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,638
+66%since 2000
from $13,000 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.0%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade39.9%
US avg: 10%
Information9.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,400
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$489
−23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
87.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 88.2% in 2000
12.5% rent
Afford Score
1.3
−13%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(715)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(8)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.1%(22)
2020
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(639)
Black0.3%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.5%(3)
Diversity Score4.7%(31)
Diversity Score
5
+52%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.2%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 81.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
1.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 0.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.3 min
+52%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
91.7%
+16.1 ptssince 2009
from 75.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.4%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
75.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 80.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
17.0%
−30.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.9% in 2009
Female
53.1%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.2%
−79.8 ptssince 2013
from 84.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Pop 653
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Head to head

Compare Watson to nearby cities

WATSON VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+26%
Home value$177,500+129%
Population12,406+1785%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATSON VS
Mattoon
Income$51,597−10%
Home value$97,700+26%
Population16,667+2433%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATSON VS
Olney
Income$59,980+4%
Home value$99,800+29%
Population8,347+1169%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WATSON VS
Charleston
Income$49,300−14%
Home value$137,400+78%
Population17,466+2554%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Watson, Illinois?

Watson, Illinois has about 668 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watson, Illinois?

The typical household in Watson, Illinois earns about $57,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watson, Illinois expensive?

In Watson, Illinois, the median home is worth about $77,400, and the typical rent is about $489 a month.

How educated are people in Watson, Illinois?

About 8.2% of adults age 25 and over in Watson, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watson, Illinois?

About 17.0% of people in Watson, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watson, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Watson, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 24 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.

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

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