Living in Watseka, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Watseka · Census data 2020–2024
Watseka has 4,780 residents with a median age of 47.7. The median household income is $43,608 (48% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $103,700, the median rent is $790/month.
Watseka at a glance
- Population
- 4,780
- Median age
- 47.7State: 39
- Median household income
- $43,608State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $103,700State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $790/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 64.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.2%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Watseka a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%.
Cons: Median household income 48% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 23.4%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Watseka
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Watseka the median home value is $103,700, 69% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $790 per month, which is 30.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,155 a month in housing costs.
Watseka median household income
The median household income in Watseka is $43,608 and the income per person is $27,210. 23.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Watseka: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,440
- Owner-occupied
- 64.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.2%
- Vacant
- 6.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1963
- Average household size
- 2.05
Watseka demographics
- Population
- 4,780
- Median age
- 47.7
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 25.2%
- Households
- 2,277
- Foreign-born
- 3.3%
- Veterans
- 6.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Watseka ›
Education in Watseka
12.2% of adults 25 and older in Watseka have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 3.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Watseka
- Unemployment rate
- 5.8%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 4.9%
- Drive alone
- 81.5%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.3%
Watseka vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watseka | 4,780 | $43,608 | $103,700 | $790 |
| Woodland | 297 | $51,932 | $86,400 | — |
| Crescent City | 456 | $58,333 | $116,500 | $817 |
| Iroquois | 185 | $53,750 | $92,600 | $738 |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | $78,000 | $801 |
| Martinton | 363 | $79,000 | $105,000 | — |
| Donovan | 281 | $48,917 | $87,100 | $1,021 |
| Milford | 1,052 | $46,827 | $74,600 | $716 |
| Beaverville | 289 | $51,000 | $96,300 | — |
More for people moving to Watseka
Watseka ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Watseka: FAQ
What is the median household income in Watseka, IL?
The median household income in Watseka is $43,608, 48% 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 Watseka?
The median home value in Watseka is $103,700, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Watseka?
The median gross rent in Watseka is $790 per month, about 30.4% of household income.
Is Watseka, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 5.8%. Minuses: median household income 48% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 23.4%.
What is the median age in Watseka?
The median age in Watseka is 47.7 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Watseka?
The average commute to work in Watseka is 18 minutes; 4.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Watseka?
The unemployment rate in Watseka is 5.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Watseka?
12.2% of adults in Watseka 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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