Watson ZIP Codes — Effingham County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Watson, Illinois and it is 62473. Area code: 217/618.

ZIP codes

21.85

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

217/618

area code

Watson, IL ZIP code map

About Watson, IL

Watson is a small village located in Effingham County, Illinois. Known for its tight-knit community and rural charm, Watson offers a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities. The village embodies a rich agricultural heritage, making it a quintessential representation of small-town America.

Location & geography

Situated in central Illinois, Watson lies approximately 10 miles northeast of the larger city of Effingham. The village enjoys a mix of flat terrain typically seen in the Midwest, with a total land area of 21.85 square miles and a water area of just 0.01 square miles. Nearby cities include Dieterich, which is roughly 8 miles to the west, and Altamont, located about 10 miles to the south.

Community & economy

The character of Watson is defined by its friendly residents and community-oriented atmosphere, fostering a sense of belonging among its inhabitants. Many local industries and farms contribute to the economy, with agriculture playing a significant role in daily life. Residents often engage in community events and local traditions, which is reflective of their pride in preserving their village's rich history.

Transportation

Watson is accessible via major highways, including Illinois Route 33, connecting the village to surrounding cities and towns. The nearest named airports are located in Effingham and Mattoon, offering regional travel options. Public transit options may be limited, emphasizing the need for personal vehicles to navigate the area.

History

Watson was founded in the late 19th century, growing primarily as an agricultural hub that catered to the needs of local farmers. The village has experienced modest growth over the years, maintaining its focus on farming and rural living as key industries. Notable events include annual community gatherings that celebrate the local culture and heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Watson is that despite its small size, the village has a rich history that dates back to its founding in the late 1800s. Additionally, the local agricultural industry plays a pivotal role in the regional economy, showcasing the importance of farming in this area of Illinois.

ZIP codes for Watson, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
62473	Watson	Effingham	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,143

Population

49.7

Median age

$69,837

Median household income

$33,614

Per capita income

$124,400

Median home value

$539

Median monthly rent

89.1%

Home ownership

7.9%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

446

Housing units

19.1%

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	204	17.8%
18 and over	939	82.2%
65 and over	270	23.6%
Median age	49.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99.1%

Two or more races 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	1,133	99.1%
Two or more races	10	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 7.6%

$10k–$15k 2.3%

$15k–$25k 8.9%

$25k–$35k 5.4%

$35k–$50k 12.0%

$50k–$75k 22.7%

$75k–$100k 22.5%

$100k–$150k 10.9%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

$200k+ 5.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.6%
$10k–$15k	2.3%
$15k–$25k	8.9%
$25k–$35k	5.4%
$35k–$50k	12.0%
$50k–$75k	22.7%
$75k–$100k	22.5%
$100k–$150k	10.9%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
$200k+	5.6%
Median income	$69,837

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.6%

$50k–$100k 33.6%

$100k–$150k 10.9%

$150k–$200k 16.0%

$200k–$300k 23.1%

$300k–$500k 4.6%

$500k–$1M 4.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$124,400
Median rent / month	$539
Owner occupied	89.1%
Renter occupied	10.9%
Vacant	2.8%
Single-family detached	85.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	7.6%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.2%
2000–2009	7.8%
1990–1999	9.0%
1980–1989	33.1%
1970–1979	25.3%
1960–1969	6.4%
1950–1959	1.6%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	8.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	3.4%
2 bedrooms	15.4%
3 bedrooms	57.5%
4 bedrooms	19.8%
5+ bedrooms	1.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.7%
1 vehicle	23.3%
2 vehicles	46.4%
3 or more	26.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.6%
Electricity	39.8%
Propane / LP gas	33.2%
Wood	2.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	270	55.7%
Cohabiting couple	19	3.9%
Male householder, no spouse	88	18.1%
Female householder, no spouse	108	22.3%
Households with children under 18	99	20.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	189	39.0%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.4%	17.2%
Married	51.4%	62.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	6.7%	8.5%
Divorced	4.5%	11.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 2.2%

HS graduate 43.3%

Some college, no degree 26.9%

Associate's degree 5.6%

Bachelor's degree 16.2%

Graduate / professional 3.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.9%
Bachelor's or higher	19.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	22	13.5%
Kindergarten	15	9.2%
Elementary school	63	38.7%
High school	51	31.3%
College / grad school	12	7.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 28.6%

Education & healthcare 20.0%

Retail trade 12.5%

Construction 8.0%

Wholesale trade 6.8%

Professional & management 5.0%

Finance & real estate 4.8%

Information 3.8%

Other services 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.6%

Public administration 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.3%
Service	7.4%
Sales & office	19.3%
Natural resources & construction	7.2%
Production & transportation	34.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	94.9%
Government	3.3%
Self-employed	1.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.5%
Carpool	6.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.6

Poverty

All people 7.9%

Under 18 years 6.5%

18 and over 8.2%

Married-couple families 1.5%

Female-led households 23.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.4%
Retirement income	29.7%
Supplemental Security	3.1%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	30.7%
High cholesterol	31.3%
Heart disease	5.5%
Stroke	2.6%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	24.3%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	5.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.9%
No physical activity	24.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.8%
Fair or poor health	13.6%
Poor mental health	14.2%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	10.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.7%
Visited dentist	62.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	14.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	85	9.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.1%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	4.9%
65 and over	43.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	72.0%
Public insurance	34.3%
Uninsured under 19	25.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,095	95.8%
Spanish	46	4.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	25	2.3%
Other languages	21	1.9%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,139	99.7%
Born in same state	1,129	98.8%
Born in different state	916	80.1%
Foreign born	10	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	4	0.3%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	240	21%
Italian	176	15.4%
French	110	9.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	18	1.6%
English	13	1.1%
Norwegian	3	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.4%
Internet access	89.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Watson, IL have?

Watson, IL has one ZIP code: 62473. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.