Watseka ZIP Codes — Iroquois County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Watseka, Illinois and it is 60970. Area code: 815/779.

ZIP codes

127.34

sq mi land

0.44

sq mi water

815/779

area code

Watseka, IL ZIP code map

About Watseka, IL

Watseka, Illinois, is a charming city located in Iroquois County. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Watseka features a rich community with a vibrant history and warm hospitality. The city serves as a central hub for agricultural activities and local businesses, making it an integral part of the region.

Location & geography

Watseka is situated in the east-central part of Illinois, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and farmland. Nearby cities include Kankakee, located approximately 25 miles to the west, or the city of Bloomington which is about 50 miles to the southwest. The total land area of Watseka measures 127.34 square miles, accompanied by a small water area of 0.44 square miles.

Community & economy

The community in Watseka is characterized by its close-knit relationships and supportive local organizations. The economy mainly thrives on agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, providing residents with various job opportunities and essential services. Daily life in Watseka is enhanced by community events, local festivals, and active participation in the city's governance and development.

Transportation

Watseka is served by U.S. Route 24, which connects the city to larger neighboring communities and facilitates easy travel across the region. The nearest airport is Kankakee Community Airport, approximately 25 miles away, offering limited domestic services. Public transportation options may be limited, but the city's layout is walkable and bicycle-friendly.

History

Watseka was founded in the mid-19th century and quickly established itself as a center for agricultural commerce. Key industries during its development included farming and transportation, with the establishment of rail lines boosting the economy significantly. Notable events include the annual Watseka Sweetcorn Festival, celebrating local agriculture and fostering community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Watseka is that it was named after a Pottawatomie Indian word meaning 'the place of the strong' or 'the place of the yellow leaves.' Additionally, the city has a historical connection to the Watson School, which was renowned for its education and community involvement.

ZIP codes for Watseka, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
60970	Watseka	Iroquois	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,025

Population

50.5

Median age

$51,483

Median household income

$31,701

Per capita income

$112,400

Median home value

$758

Median monthly rent

75.4%

Home ownership

14.8%

Poverty rate

3.8%

Unemployment

2,454

Housing units

16.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

106

170

5–9

187

128

10–14

140

141

15–19

154

195

20–24

214

286

25–34

313

234

35–44

255

433

45–54

473

230

55–59

252

287

60–64

315

351

65–74

383

243

75–84

265

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,061	17.6%
18 and over	4,964	82.4%
65 and over	1,415	23.5%
Median age	50.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 86.8%

Hispanic or Latino 4.8%

Other race 4.4%

Two or more races 2%

Black or African American 1.2%

Asian 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,491	86.8%
Hispanic or Latino	301	4.8%
Other race	277	4.4%
Two or more races	127	2%
Black or African American	73	1.2%
Asian	49	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	8	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.1%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 12.3%

$25k–$35k 11.0%

$35k–$50k 15.8%

$50k–$75k 14.6%

$75k–$100k 11.2%

$100k–$150k 16.6%

$150k–$200k 4.8%

$200k+ 3.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.1%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	12.3%
$25k–$35k	11.0%
$35k–$50k	15.8%
$50k–$75k	14.6%
$75k–$100k	11.2%
$100k–$150k	16.6%
$150k–$200k	4.8%
$200k+	3.8%
Median income	$51,483

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.3%

$50k–$100k 29.7%

$100k–$150k 19.2%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 18.2%

$300k–$500k 4.1%

$500k–$1M 2.1%

$1M+ 1.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$112,400
Median rent / month	$758
Owner occupied	75.4%
Renter occupied	24.6%
Vacant	15.1%
Single-family detached	75.5%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	5.8%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.38

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.9%
2000–2009	7.7%
1990–1999	11.4%
1980–1989	13.7%
1970–1979	15.3%
1960–1969	9.8%
1950–1959	16.3%
1940–1949	4.6%
1939 or earlier	19.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	8.1%
2 bedrooms	30.7%
3 bedrooms	43.8%
4 bedrooms	15.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	38.5%
2 vehicles	35.5%
3 or more	19.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	60.7%
Electricity	25.0%
Propane / LP gas	13.8%
Wood	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,023	38.9%
Cohabiting couple	321	12.2%
Male householder, no spouse	312	11.8%
Female householder, no spouse	977	37.1%
Households with children under 18	598	22.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,042	39.6%
Average household size	2.24

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.1%	17.7%
Married	45.7%	36.3%
Separated	1.7%	0.2%
Widowed	4.0%	16.4%
Divorced	8.6%	29.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.2%

Some HS, no diploma 10.5%

HS graduate 42.4%

Some college, no degree 17.6%

Associate's degree 10.3%

Bachelor's degree 14.1%

Graduate / professional 2.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.3%
Bachelor's or higher	16.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	27	2.8%
Kindergarten	52	5.4%
Elementary school	508	52.4%
High school	264	27.2%
College / grad school	118	12.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.4%

Retail trade 18.1%

Manufacturing 8.8%

Finance & real estate 7.2%

Wholesale trade 7.1%

Public administration 6.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.6%

Construction 6.3%

Professional & management 4.4%

Transportation & utilities 4.3%

Agriculture & mining 3.0%

Other services 3.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.3%
Service	16.9%
Sales & office	17.9%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	23.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.6%
Government	10.8%
Self-employed	6.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.4%
Carpool	10.2%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	1.8%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.9

Poverty

All people 14.8%

Under 18 years 18.4%

18 and over 14.2%

Married-couple families 4.6%

Female-led households 8.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.4%
Retirement income	26.2%
Supplemental Security	14.1%
Cash public assistance	1.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.8%
High cholesterol	37.3%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	33.4%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	10.3%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.5%
No physical activity	30.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.5%
Fair or poor health	19.1%
Poor mental health	13.6%
Poor physical health	12.8%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.8%
Visited dentist	58.2%
Cholesterol screening	89.3%
Teeth loss	20.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	342	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.6%
Under 18	17.1%
18–64 years	22.2%
65 and over	36.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.6%
Public insurance	54.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,822	96.6%
Spanish	111	1.9%
Other Indo-European	78	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	33	0.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,795	96.2%
Born in same state	5,789	96.1%
Born in different state	4,640	77.0%
Foreign born	6	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	230	3.8%
Not a US citizen	101	43.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	879	14.6%
French	385	6.4%
Arab	372	6.2%
English	296	4.9%
Irish	210	3.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	89	1.5%
German	76	1.3%
Norwegian	45	0.7%
Dutch	14	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.7%
Internet access	87.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Watseka, IL have?

Watseka, IL has one ZIP code: 60970. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.