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CITY

Wheeler

Illinois · 96 residents (2025 est.) · 0.576 sq mi
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The short version

Wheeler has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $20,568. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. The poverty rate of 46.9% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 5% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 75% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
0% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Owner-heavy
78% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
130
+9%since 2000
from 119 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
226 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 207 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
+42%since 2000
from 27.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:96 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
851101351601851990201020202024Wheeler
2024130
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$20,568
−53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,250 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,848
+89%since 2000
from $9,425 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
5.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
46.9%
+19.5 ptssince 2000
from 27.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.456
+117%since 2010
from 0.210 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade82.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Owner-occupied
78.0%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.3% in 2000
22.0% rent
Vacancy rate
24.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
45.7%
+29.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−40.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wheeler on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(115)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.1%(10)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(119)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.6%(6)
Diversity Score19.8%(26)
Diversity Score
20
+144%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.0%
+32.0 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Drive alone to work
52.6%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 93.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
43.9%
+36.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% 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
11.9%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.6%
+11.2 ptssince 2011
from 2.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2011
from 71.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
3.5%
−49.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.6%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
45.4%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.0%
−45.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 17.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−80.8 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.7%
+13.3 ptssince 2017
from 71.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Wheeler to nearby cities

WHEELER VS
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Income$72,377+252%
Home value$177,500
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WHEELER VS
Olney
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Home value$99,800
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WHEELER VS
Mattoon
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Home value$97,700
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WHEELER VS
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Income$49,300+140%
Home value$137,400
Population17,466+18094%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wheeler, Illinois?

Wheeler, Illinois has about 130 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wheeler, Illinois?

The typical household in Wheeler, Illinois earns about $20,568 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

How educated are people in Wheeler, Illinois?

About 0.0% of adults age 25 and over in Wheeler, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wheeler, Illinois?

About 46.9% of people in Wheeler, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wheeler, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Wheeler, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 40 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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