Wataga, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Wataga is a small town in Illinois with a population of 782. Residents earn $57,500 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
782 Population 942/sq mi density
$57,500 Median Income $30,236 per capita
$95,700 Home Value $130,478 Zillow
$634 Median Rent 22.8% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$57,500 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,700 home value, $634/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,500
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,700
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.2%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $634
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.8%
5% lower than US avg

How Wataga Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population782
Median Age32.3 yrs
Density942/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans5.8%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,500
Per Capita$30,236
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$2,048M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,700
Rent$634
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$130,478
Housing Units366
Rent Burden22.8%

Health

Obesity36.1%
Uninsured7.4%
Smoking13.8%
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation829 ft (253 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.2%
High School+92.5%
Graduate+2.6%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 37%
Commute22 min
Broadband87.1%
Libraries9

Is Wataga a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wataga receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Wataga offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wataga is $57,500, 23% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wataga is $95,700, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $634 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Wataga experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Wataga has a population of 782 with a density of 942 people per square mile. The median age is 32.3 years, 17% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 1.5% Black.

Population

782
Total Population
942
People / sq mi
32.3yrs
Median Age
17% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Wataga vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.9%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.1%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wataga vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wataga is $57,500, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Wataga vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,500
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,236
Avg Weekly Wage$980
IRS Avg AGI$74,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.8%
5% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,020
County GDP$2,048M

Business (County)

Restaurants100
Healthcare90
Retail148
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,739
64% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Drive Alone87.1%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home0.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Wataga is $95,700, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $634 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $130,478.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,700
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$130,478

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$634
45% below US avg
Rent Burden22.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.2%
Housing Units366
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,739
64% above US avg
Effective Rate6.00%
In Wataga, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.4% of residents lack health insurance. 13.8% are current smokers. 23.5% report depression. 21.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wataga vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma10.4%
COPD6.0%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.8%
1% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.1%
Physical Inactivity21.0%
Depression23.5%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.1%
Short Sleep35.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.9%
Uninsured7.4%
14% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits66.9%
Premature Death7,545/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access78.2%
Healthcare Facilities90
Wataga has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.4 inches
4% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation829 ft (253 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density942/sq mi
Coordinates41.0252°N, 90.2754°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17073
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 12.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.5-point margin. 87.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.3%
D 36.8%

Winner: Republican by 24.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.2%
64% below US avg
High School+92.5%
Graduate Degree+2.6%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density942/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.1%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities90
Restaurants100
Retail Stores148

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Drive Alone87.1%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home0.8%

Nearby Cities

Galesburg, IL 29,653 pop · 7.4 mi Knoxville, IL 3,137 pop · 8.2 mi Galva, IL 2,543 pop · 15.9 mi Abingdon, IL 3,424 pop · 16.6 mi Cambridge, IL 2,184 pop · 19.0 mi Monmouth, IL 8,794 pop · 20.7 mi Toulon, IL 1,390 pop · 22.0 mi Orion, IL 1,849 pop · 23.1 mi Elmwood, IL 2,254 pop · 23.4 mi Kewanee, IL 12,280 pop · 23.4 mi Wyoming, IL 1,532 pop · 26.3 mi Farmington, IL 1,990 pop · 26.8 mi Aledo, IL 3,753 pop · 27.3 mi Princeville, IL 1,932 pop · 27.9 mi
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