Mercer County

As of the 2020 census, Mercer County, IL has a population of approximately 15,699 residents. The racial composition is predominantly White at 96.1%, followed by 1.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 2.2% Hispanic or Latino. The median age is around 45 years old. Households have a median income of about $57,200, and about 10.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. Housing units total roughly 7,100, with an average household size of 2.4 people.

As of the most recent data, Mercer County, IL has approximately 6,750 housing units. The median home value is roughly $92,000, while the median rent is around $700 per month. The homeownership rate stands at about 78%, and the vacancy rate is approximately 11%. The region shows a balanced mix of single-family homes and rental properties, reflecting its largely rural character with a moderate demand for housing.

Mercer County, IL, conducts periodic elections with candidates vying for various local, state, and federal positions. Key positions often up for election include:

1. County Board: Seats for multiple districts with typically 5-7 members per district.
2. Sheriff: Usually 2 main candidates, a Democrat, and a Republican.
3. County Clerk: Often 2 main candidates.
4. Treasurer: 2 candidates, usually along party lines.

Past elections have seen voter turnout percentages ranging from 55% to 75%. In general elections, about 7,000-9,000 votes are cast. For detailed and current candidate listings, you should refer to the Mercer County election authority or their official website.

Mercer County, IL, exhibits educational attainment metrics that show a mixed comparison to state and national averages. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 89% of adults in Mercer County have a high school diploma, which is slightly above the national average of 88%. However, the percentage of those holding a bachelor's degree or higher in Mercer County is around 17%, which falls below both the Illinois state average of about 34% and the national average of 33%. These statistics indicate that while high school graduation rates in Mercer County are relatively healthy, the attainment of higher education degrees lags significantly behind broader state and national trends.

As of the latest available data, Mercer County, Illinois has an unemployment rate of approximately 4.4%. The labor force consists of around 6,400 individuals, with roughly 6,100 employed.

Top Industries in Mercer County:

1. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting - This sector plays a significant role, reflecting the county's rural nature.
2. Manufacturing - A notable portion of the workforce is engaged in manufacturing activities.
3. Education and Health Services - These sectors also represent a substantial part of the county's employment.

Comparison to National and State Averages:

• Agriculture in Mercer County significantly exceeds national (1.3%) and state (0.4%) averages.
• Manufacturing is higher than the national average (8.5%) but aligns closely with the state average (9%).
• Education and Health Services are slightly below both national (23.4%) and state (24.0%) averages.

This emphasizes Mercer County's strong agricultural heritage and manufacturing presence, with a balanced mix in other service-oriented sectors.

As of the latest available data, the median household income in Mercer County, Illinois, is approximately $60,000. This is slightly lower than the national median household income, which stands at around $70,000. Comparatively, the state of Illinois has a median household income of about $65,000.

Income Comparison Table

These figures illustrate that Mercer County's median household income lags behind both the state and national averages.

As of the most recent data available, Mercer County, IL, has generally low crime rates compared to national averages. The crime rate here is approximately 14.1 per 1,000 residents annually. Here is a breakdown of specific crime statistics:

Please note that crime rates can fluctuate, and it's advisable to consult local law enforcement or recent reports for up-to-date information.