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Watson, IL

Illinois

Watson is a small town in Illinois with a population of 616. Residents earn $68,625 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
616 Population 565/sq mi density
$68,625 Median Income $26,141 per capita
$93,900 Home Value $160,759 Zillow
$750 Median Rent 16.4% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$68,625 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$93,900 home value, $750/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,625
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $93,900
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.1%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $750
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.7%
35% higher than US avg

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

People

Population616
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density565/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans3.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$68,625
Per Capita$26,141
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty16.7%
County GDP$3,084M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$93,900
Rent$750
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$160,759
Housing Units265
Rent Burden16.4%

Health

Obesity35.6%
Uninsured8.5%
Smoking16.9%
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain44.0 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation556 ft (169 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.1%
High School+89.5%
Graduate+1.8%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute17 min
Broadband86.6%
Libraries3

Is Watson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watson receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Watson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watson is $68,625, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 16.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watson is $93,900, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $750 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Watson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.0 inches, including 14.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Watson has a population of 616 with a density of 565 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.9%).

Population

616
Total Population
565
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Watson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watson is $68,625, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Watson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,625
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,141
Avg Weekly Wage$1,020
IRS Avg AGI$85,897

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.7%
35% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,237
County GDP$3,084M

Business (County)

Restaurants125
Healthcare159
Retail195
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,557
87% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.4 min
Drive Alone81.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Watson is $93,900, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $750 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $160,759.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$93,900
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$160,759

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$750
36% below US avg
Rent Burden16.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.3%
Housing Units265
Median Year Built1980

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,557
87% above US avg
Effective Rate6.98%
In Watson, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.5% of residents lack health insurance. 16.9% are current smokers. 24.5% report depression. 24.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.8%
COPD7.5%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.9%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity24.1%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress13.5%
Short Sleep36.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Uninsured8.5%
1% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,275
Dentists1:563
Mental Health1:386
Checkup Rate74.7%
Dental Visits62.9%
Premature Death6,573/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access58.8%
Healthcare Facilities159
Watson has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.0 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.0 inches
16% above US avg
Snowfall14.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation556 ft (169 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density565/sq mi
Coordinates39.0261°N, 88.5686°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 12.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.4-point margin. 86.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.3%
D 19%

Winner: Republican by 60.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.1%
64% below US avg
High School+89.5%
Graduate Degree+1.8%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density565/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.6%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities159
Restaurants125
Retail Stores195

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.4 min
Drive Alone81.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 6.5 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 8.7 mi Altamont, IL 2,500 pop · 9.8 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 10.3 mi St. Elmo, IL 1,401 pop · 15.2 mi Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 18.0 mi Neoga, IL 1,248 pop · 21.4 mi Newton, IL 2,852 pop · 21.9 mi Toledo, IL 1,209 pop · 24.4 mi Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 25.4 mi Greenup, IL 1,678 pop · 26.7 mi Shelbyville, IL 4,248 pop · 29.2 mi Vandalia, IL 6,041 pop · 29.3 mi Mattoon, IL 16,334 pop · 33.1 mi
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