Washington, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Washington, Illinois is 15,946 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 158th-largest city in Illinois. The median household income is $91,360, the median home value is $216,700, and the median age is 37.3.
The population has grown 3.8% since 2010 (15,280 → 15,857).
15,946
Population
1864
People / sq mi
$91,360
Median Income
$216,700
Median Home Value
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Washington covers 8.6 sq mi of land at 1864 people per square mile.
About Washington, IL
The poverty rate is what most separates Washington from the typical city: 2.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Washington is a city in Illinois with a population of 15,946.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $91,360 — above the US median of $78,538. Only 2.8% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. Property is affordable here, the median home worth $216,700, with typical rent around $1,087.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US cities — 43.8% of adults hold a four-year degree, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 12.4%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
Washington city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Washington city had a population of 15,280 in 2010 and 15,857 in 2024, a 3.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 16,672 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: 0.28%.
15,857
Population (2024)
15,280
Population (2010)
16,672
Peak (2017)
0.28%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 15,280 |
| 2011 | 15,452 |
| 2012 | 15,525 |
| 2013 | 15,742 |
| 2014 | 15,639 |
| 2015 | 16,461 |
| 2016 | 16,661 |
| 2017 | 16,672 |
| 2018 | 16,570 |
| 2019 | 16,516 |
| 2020 | 16,064 |
| 2021 | 15,991 |
| 2022 | 15,864 |
| 2023 | 15,853 |
| 2024 | 15,857 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 95.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.3% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$91,360
Median Household Income
$42,060
Per Capita Income
2.8%
Poverty Rate
0.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$216,700
Median Home Value
$1,087
Median Rent
80.0%
Owner-Occupied
Education
98.3%
High School+
43.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
79.7%
Public Transit
12.4%
Work From Home
20.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
15.6%
Foreign Born
97.7%
Non-English at Home
7.8%
Veterans
7.7%
With Disability
93.3%
Health Insurance
94.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 27.2% |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.5% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.0% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 7.1% |
| Information | 6.1% |
| Construction | 4.6% |
| Public Administration | 4.1% |
| Retail Trade | 3.8% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Washington, Illinois has a population of 15,946 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 158th-largest city in Illinois.
The median household income in Washington, Illinois is $91,360, with 2.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Washington, Illinois is $216,700, with median monthly rent at $1,087 and a homeownership rate of 80.0%.
The median age in Washington, Illinois is 37.3 years. The population is 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
The population has grown 3.8% since 2010 (15,280 → 15,857).
Where to stay in Washington
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.