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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Mercer County

Illinois · 16,957 residents · 561.24 sq mi
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The short version

Mercer County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $40,893. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $70,900.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.5
US median: 35.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 56%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

16,957
−2%since 1990
from 17,290 in 1990
1990 – 2025
30 / sq mi
−2%since 1990
from 31 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
39.5
+9%since 1990
from 36.1 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 19902024
15K16K16K17K17K1990201020202024Mercer County
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$40,893
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $26,606 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
$18,645
+55%since 1990
from $12,058 in 1990
US average: $21,522
7.8%
−2.3 ptssince 1990
from 10.1% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

$70,900
+56%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $34,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
$392
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $304 in 1990
US average: $602
79.7%
+5.0 ptssince 1990
from 74.7% in 1990
20.3% rent
1.7
+34%since 1990
from 1.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Mercer County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic99.4%(17,178)
Black0.2%(29)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(160)
Asian0.1%(22)
Diversity Score3.9%(666)
2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(16,551)
Black0.3%(48)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(216)
Asian0.2%(29)
Diversity Score4.3%(727)
4
+11%since 1990
from 4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

12.6%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 11.3% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
84.9%
+7.6 ptssince 1990
from 77.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
3.3%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 3.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

19.6 min
−31%since 1990
from 28.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Mercer County, Illinois?

Mercer County, Illinois has about 16,957 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Mercer County, Illinois?

The typical household in Mercer County, Illinois earns about $40,893 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Mercer County, Illinois expensive?

In Mercer County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $70,900, and the typical rent is about $392 a month.

How educated are people in Mercer County, Illinois?

About 12.6% of adults age 25 and over in Mercer County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Mercer County, Illinois?

About 7.8% of people in Mercer County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Mercer County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Mercer County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 333 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

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