Joy ZIP Codes — Mercer County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Joy, Illinois and it is 61260. Area code: 309.

ZIP codes

58.26

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

309

area code

Joy, IL ZIP code map

About Joy, IL

Joy is a small but charming city located in the state of Illinois. Nestled within the boundaries of Mercer County, this quaint locality encompasses a unique blend of rural charm and community spirit. The city is recognized for its serene environment and friendly atmosphere, making it a pleasant place to live or visit.

Location & geography

Joy is situated in Mercer County, which is located in the northwestern part of Illinois. It is approximately 10 miles from the larger city of Aledo, and 15 miles from the nearby communities of Monmouth and Reynolds. The land area of Joy measures 58.26 square miles, with a minuscule water area of 0.01 square miles, emphasizing the city's predominantly dry terrain.

Community & economy

The community in Joy is characterized by its tight-knit relationships and a welcoming attitude towards newcomers. The local economy primarily revolves around agriculture and small businesses, providing residents with daily essentials and fostering a culture of local entrepreneurship. Daily life in Joy is often marked by community events and gatherings that strengthen social ties among its residents.

Transportation

Joy is accessible via major highways such as U.S. Route 67, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest airport serving the area is the Quad City International Airport, located approximately 30 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Joy was established in the late 19th century, originally serving as a hub for the surrounding agricultural community. Over the years, it has maintained a strong agricultural base as its key industry, contributing to the local economy and fostering a close connection to the land. Notable events in the city's history have included annual community festivals that celebrate its rich heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Joy is that despite its small size, it has managed to foster a strong sense of community involvement and pride among its residents. Additionally, the city is often overlooked by tourists, making it a hidden gem in Illinois for those seeking peaceful rural experiences.

ZIP codes for Joy, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
61260	Joy	Mercer	View map

Demographics & statistics

595

Population

44.9

Median age

$45,556

Median household income

$32,721

Per capita income

$99,200

Median home value

$589

Median monthly rent

73.7%

Home ownership

14.5%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

248

Housing units

9.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	100	16.8%
18 and over	495	83.2%
65 and over	167	28.1%
Median age	44.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91%

Hispanic or Latino 4%

Other race 4%

Two or more races 1%

Group	Count	%
White	564	91%
Hispanic or Latino	25	4%
Other race	25	4%
Two or more races	6	1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 33.0%

$25k–$35k 7.0%

$35k–$50k 9.3%

$50k–$75k 11.0%

$75k–$100k 14.3%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 4.7%

$200k+ 6.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	33.0%
$25k–$35k	7.0%
$35k–$50k	9.3%
$50k–$75k	11.0%
$75k–$100k	14.3%
$100k–$150k	7.7%
$150k–$200k	4.7%
$200k+	6.0%
Median income	$45,556

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 22.6%

$50k–$100k 27.6%

$100k–$150k 32.1%

$150k–$200k 8.6%

$200k–$300k 6.3%

$300k–$500k 2.3%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$99,200
Median rent / month	$589
Owner occupied	73.7%
Renter occupied	26.3%
Vacant	8.3%
Single-family detached	93.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	4.9%
Median rooms	6.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.01

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	1.5%
2000–2009	8.0%
1990–1999	5.5%
1980–1989	5.8%
1970–1979	8.0%
1960–1969	4.0%
1950–1959	5.5%
1940–1949	2.4%
1939 or earlier	58.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	4.0%
2 bedrooms	30.9%
3 bedrooms	53.8%
4 bedrooms	6.7%
5+ bedrooms	4.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	12.0%
1 vehicle	15.7%
2 vehicles	41.3%
3 or more	31.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	55.7%
Electricity	3.3%
Propane / LP gas	26.0%
Solar	0.3%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	114	38.0%
Cohabiting couple	4	1.3%
Male householder, no spouse	118	39.3%
Female householder, no spouse	64	21.3%
Households with children under 18	55	18.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	131	43.7%
Average household size	1.98

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.3%	12.2%
Married	38.5%	63.1%
Separated	0.0%	0.5%
Widowed	4.2%	12.2%
Divorced	16.1%	12.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.7%

Some HS, no diploma 9.5%

HS graduate 45.1%

Some college, no degree 25.2%

Associate's degree 4.2%

Bachelor's degree 6.7%

Graduate / professional 2.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.8%
Bachelor's or higher	9.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	14	16.5%
Kindergarten	5	5.9%
Elementary school	38	44.7%
High school	18	21.2%
College / grad school	10	11.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 29.4%

Manufacturing 15.4%

Transportation & utilities 14.7%

Education & healthcare 11.6%

Construction 7.5%

Retail trade 7.2%

Finance & real estate 4.4%

Other services 3.1%

Professional & management 2.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.7%

Information 1.0%

Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.2%
Service	8.2%
Sales & office	23.9%
Natural resources & construction	26.3%
Production & transportation	20.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.3%
Government	3.1%
Self-employed	12.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	60.8%
Carpool	2.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.6%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	37.6

Poverty

All people 14.5%

Under 18 years 33.3%

18 and over 10.9%

Married-couple families 2.6%

Female-led households 52.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.7%
Retirement income	27.0%
Supplemental Security	11.0%
Cash public assistance	0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.5%
High cholesterol	34.5%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	29.0%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.8%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.0%
No physical activity	28.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.9%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	11.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.3%
Visited dentist	57.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.0%
Teeth loss	16.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	27	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.7%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	49.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.8%
Public insurance	46.9%
Uninsured under 19	8.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	558	93.8%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	586	98.5%
Born in same state	586	98.5%
Born in different state	419	70.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	9	1.5%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	52	8.7%
Italian	35	5.9%
Arab	35	5.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	13	2.2%
English	2	0.3%
Dutch	1	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.4%
Internet access	85.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Joy, IL have?

Joy, IL has one ZIP code: 61260. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.