Living in Ottawa, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ottawa · Census data 2020–2024
Ottawa has 18,447 residents with a median age of 39.8. The median household income is $71,413 (14% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $154,000, the median rent is $920/month.
Ottawa at a glance
- Population
- 18,447
- Median age
- 39.8State: 39
- Median household income
- $71,413State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $154,000State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $920/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 69.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.3%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Ottawa a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ottawa
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ottawa the median home value is $154,000, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $920 per month, which is 29.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,469 a month in housing costs.
Ottawa median household income
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,413 and the income per person is $40,071. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Ottawa: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,217
- Owner-occupied
- 69.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 30.3%
- Vacant
- 8.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1958
- Average household size
- 2.39
Ottawa demographics
- Population
- 18,447
- Median age
- 39.8
- Under 18
- 25.3%
- 65 and older
- 16.4%
- Households
- 7,553
- Foreign-born
- 3.1%
- Veterans
- 8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ottawa ›
Education in Ottawa
23.3% of adults 25 and older in Ottawa have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 6.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ottawa
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 5.2%
- Drive alone
- 82.2%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.3%
Ottawa vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 18,447 | $71,413 | $154,000 | $920 |
| Dayton | 271 | $73,750 | $271,000 | — |
| Naplate | 589 | $71,875 | $135,600 | $1,019 |
| Marseilles | 4,279 | $58,217 | $142,500 | $1,041 |
| Grand Ridge | 584 | $78,929 | $158,700 | $1,023 |
| North Utica | 1,282 | $104,028 | $237,500 | $1,292 |
| Seneca | 2,450 | $86,830 | $227,500 | $1,149 |
| Oglesby | 3,570 | $76,189 | $139,700 | $888 |
| Sheridan | 2,519 | $85,250 | $186,400 | $1,070 |
More for people moving to Ottawa
Ottawa ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ottawa: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ottawa, IL?
The median household income in Ottawa is $71,413, 14% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ottawa?
The median home value in Ottawa is $154,000, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Ottawa?
The median gross rent in Ottawa is $920 per month, about 29.4% of household income.
Is Ottawa, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 42% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 17.3%.
What is the median age in Ottawa?
The median age in Ottawa is 39.8 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Ottawa?
The average commute to work in Ottawa is 23 minutes; 5.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ottawa?
The unemployment rate in Ottawa is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ottawa?
23.3% of adults in Ottawa have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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