Moving to Watseka, Illinois

Population: 5,670. Estimated population in July 2024: 5,547 (-2.2% change)
Males: 2,683 (47.3%), Females: 2,987 (52.7%)

Iroquois County

Zip code: 60970

Demographics

Median resident age: 40.1 years
Median household income: $30,440
Median house value: $71,200

Population by Race

Races in Watseka:

  • White Non-Hispanic (95.2%)
  • Hispanic (2.6%)
  • Two or more races (1.0%)
  • Other race (0.9%)
  • American Indian (0.7%)
  • Black (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (24.3%), United States (10.8%), Irish (10.3%), English (9.1%), French (6.0%), Swedish (3.5%).

Elevation: 637 feet

Land area: 2.6 square miles

Map of Watseka, IL

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Watseka

  • High school or higher: 74.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.1%
  • Unemployed: 3.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Watseka city

  • Never married: 24.0%
  • Now married: 54.8%
  • Separated: 1.2%
  • Widowed: 10.0%
  • Divorced: 10.1%

2.2% Foreign born (1.4% Europe, 0.8% Asia).

Population change in the 1990s: +198 (+3.6%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Watseka:

  • IROQUOIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (200 FAIRMAN STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Watseka:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Watseka:

  • GARY/CHICAGO (about 62 miles; GARY, IN; Abbreviation: GYY)
  • PURDUE UNIVERSITY (about 62 miles; LAFAYETTE, IN; Abbreviation: LAF)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-WILLARD (about 63 miles; CHAMPAIGN/URBANA, IL; Abbreviation: CMI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Watseka:

  • GREATER KANKAKEE (about 22 miles; KANKAKEE, IL; Abbreviation: IKK)
  • KENTLAND MUNI (about 23 miles; KENTLAND, IN; Abbreviation: 50I)
  • KANKAKEE (about 26 miles; KANKAKEE, IL; Abbreviation: 3KK)

Amtrak station near Watseka:

  • 18 miles: GILMAN (U.S. 24 & U.S. 45). Services: partially wheelchair accessible, free short-term parking, free long-term parking.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Watseka:

  • OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY (about 29 miles; BOURBONNAIS, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,207)
  • GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 48 miles; UNIVERSITY PARK, IL; Full-time enrollment: 3,191)
  • PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE (about 52 miles; CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,523)
  • SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE (about 58 miles; SOUTH HOLLAND, IL; Full-time enrollment: 3,599)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (about 58 miles; Champaign, IL; Full-time enrollment: 36,284)
  • INDIANA UNIVERSITY-NORTHWEST (about 59 miles; GARY, IN; Full-time enrollment: 3,208)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ST FRANCIS (about 59 miles; JOLIET, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,361)

Public primary/middle schools in Watseka:

  • WATSEKA COMM HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 366; Location: 138 S BELMONT AVE; Grades: PK – 12)
  • GLENN RAYMOND MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 284; Location: 101 W MULBERRY ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • WANDA KENDALL ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 186; Location: 535 PORTER AVE; Grades: 02 – 03)
  • NETTIE DAVIS ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 174; Location: 495 N FOURTH ST; Grades: KG – 01)
  • IROQUOIS AREA RDS (Location: 1001 E GRANT; Grades: 00 – 00)

Libraries

Library in Watseka:

  • WATSEKA P.L. (Operating income: $325,749; Location: 201 SOUTH FOURTH; 26,919 books; 904 audio materials; 253 video