Census ACS · #301 μSA
Ottawa Metro Area
The Ottawa, Il Micropolitan Statistical Area has 147,676 residents. The median household income is $70,941 and the median home value is $148,600.
147,676
Population
68
People / sq mi
$70,941
Median Income
$148,600
Median Home Value
The Ottawa CBSA covers 2,164 sq mi of land at 68.2 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 87.6% |
| Black or African American | 2.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.7% |
Economy & Income
$70,941
Median Household Income
$37,828
Per Capita Income
9.6%
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Unemployment
Housing
$148,600
Median Home Value
$893
Median Rent
74.7%
Homeownership
Education
91.4%
High School+
19.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
4.6%
Work From Home
24.9 min
Avg Commute
12.4%
Foreign Born
Ottawa spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Illinois
Largest counties in Illinois
Part of Illinois
Other metros
Metro areas in Illinois
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ottawa, Il Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 147,676 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #301 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Ottawa metro area is $70,941, with a per capita income of $37,828.
The Ottawa, Il CBSA spans the state of Illinois.
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More from Illinois
Data for the Ottawa, Il CBSA (36837) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Homeownership is the standout figure in Ottawa: 74.7% of homes are owner-occupied, higher than the national rate. Ottawa is a metro area in IL with a population of 147,676.
Median household income is $70,941, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.6%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $148,600, with typical rent around $893.
College attainment is 19.6%, below the national 35.0%.
The ownership rate anchors the housing story in Ottawa, and tends to move with the age structure and home-value figures above.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.