Ottawa, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Ottawa, Illinois is 18,714 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 130th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $73,011, the median home value is $144,500, and the median age is 40.3.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (18,801 → 18,775).
18,714
Population
1256
People / sq mi
$73,011
Median Income
$144,500
Median Home Value
Get Ottawa's next ACS population data
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Ottawa covers 14.9 sq mi of land at 1256 people per square mile.
About Ottawa, IL
Remote work is unusually rare in Ottawa: 3.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the 14.0% national rate. With 18,714 residents, Ottawa is a city in Illinois.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $73,011 — below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 11.9%, close to the national 12.4%. Home prices sit near the bottom of the range at $144,500, with typical rent around $922.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 21.9%, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (3.7%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.
Ottawa city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Ottawa city had a population of 18,801 in 2010 and 18,775 in 2024, a -0.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,821 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.00%.
18,775
Population (2024)
18,801
Population (2010)
18,821
Peak (2020)
0.00%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,801 |
| 2011 | 18,699 |
| 2012 | 18,582 |
| 2013 | 18,535 |
| 2014 | 18,441 |
| 2015 | 18,338 |
| 2016 | 18,243 |
| 2017 | 18,171 |
| 2018 | 18,119 |
| 2019 | 18,063 |
| 2020 | 18,821 |
| 2021 | 18,790 |
| 2022 | 18,663 |
| 2023 | 18,741 |
| 2024 | 18,775 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 89.3% |
| Black or African American | 2.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$73,011
Median Household Income
$37,776
Per Capita Income
11.9%
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$144,500
Median Home Value
$922
Median Rent
69.4%
Owner-Occupied
Education
91.9%
High School+
21.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
84.9%
Public Transit
3.7%
Work From Home
22.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
15.2%
Foreign Born
94.0%
Non-English at Home
7.3%
Veterans
14.3%
With Disability
95.4%
Health Insurance
92.5%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 26.3% |
| Manufacturing | 13.0% |
| Retail Trade | 8.1% |
| Construction | 7.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.3% |
| Information | 5.4% |
| Public Administration | 3.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.6% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 2.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 1.8% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ottawa, Illinois has a population of 18,714 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 130th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Ottawa, Illinois is $73,011, with 11.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Ottawa, Illinois is $144,500, with median monthly rent at $922 and a homeownership rate of 69.4%.
The median age in Ottawa, Illinois is 40.3 years. The population is 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
The population has declined 0.1% since 2010 (18,801 → 18,775).
Where to stay in Ottawa
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.