Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Ottawa, IL

CSAChicago-Naperville

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

18,447population

39.8median age

This community is a community of 18,447 with a median age of 39.8. The population is predominantly White (82.6%) with a significant Hispanic/Latino community (10.1%). Median household income is $71,413. 91.6% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 23.3% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 69.7%, with a median home value of $154,000.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

82.6%15,229

Hispanic/Latino

10.1%1,861

Two or More

3.9%714

Black

2.5%458

Asian

1%184

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%1

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.2%531

High School Diploma

28.5%3,592

Some College (<1 yr)

10.3%1,299

Some College (1+ yr)

15.9%2,006

Associate's Degree

9.5%1,196

Bachelor's Degree

16.6%2,099

Master's Degree

4.7%598

Professional Degree

1.2%149

Doctorate

0.7%87

HS or Higher

91.6%

BA or Higher

23.3%

Graduate+

6.6%

Housingi

$154,000median home value

$920median rent

69.7%homeownership

8,217total units

8.1%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 69.7%

Renter 30.3%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.1%111

$50K–$100K

15.4%809

$100K–$150K

30.3%1,593

$150K–$200K

20.7%1,091

$200K–$300K

22.6%1,191

$300K–$500K

8%420

$500K–$1M

0.7%37

$1M+

0.2%11

Rent Distribution

Under $500

288

$500–$750

438

$750–$1,000

753

$1,000–$1,250

414

$1,250–$1,500

259

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%61

2010–2019

3.7%308

2000–2009

11.7%965

1990–1999

7.2%588

1980–1989

7.2%594

1970–1979

10.3%844

1960–1969

5.9%485

1950–1959

19.5%1,600

1940–1949

8.9%734

1939 or earlier

24.8%2,038

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

84.3%6,365

Electricity

13.6%1,026

No Fuel

0.8%60

Bottled/LP Gas

0.8%57

Other

0.4%29

Wood

0.2%16

Household Economyi

$71,413median household income

$40,071per capita income

16.7%poverty rate

6.9%unemployment

8,978labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.8%359

$10K–$15K

4.6%347

$15K–$20K

4.1%313

$20K–$25K

3.9%292

$25K–$30K

7.6%575

$30K–$35K

2.8%209

$35K–$40K

5.4%410

$40K–$45K

3.3%250

$45K–$50K

2.2%167

$50K–$60K

4.6%349

$60K–$75K

7.9%593

$75K–$100K

16.8%1,268

$100K–$125K

7.8%589

$125K–$150K

7.4%561

$150K–$200K

9.7%733

$200K+

7.1%538

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

542

Residentsi

824

Avg. Tenant Renti

$354/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

5 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing301 homes97% occupied$322/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers150 homes86% occupied$437/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 891 homes87% occupied$326/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $71,413/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $21K/yr

76.3%

Very low income$21K–$36K/yr

18%

Low income$36K–$57K/yr

5.7%

Who Receives This Housing

63.7% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

20.6% of subsidized households are minority

20% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

32.6% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

5643.1%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

302

Philippines

India

Germany

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

8,085

Avg. Commutei

22.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,361

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,100(8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

95%Insured

5%Uninsured