Population
145,902
2025
−1.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Ottawa, IL micro area: population growth, jobs and income
The Ottawa, IL micro area lost 109 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−0.1%).
The Ottawa, IL micro area had an estimated 145,902 residents in 2025, down 1.6% (2,348 fewer people) since 2020.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Top 3 counties by population: LaSalle County, Bureau County and Putnam County. Three County Growth and Demographics Report PDFs in one payment.
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now.
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+238
2025
1.6 per 1,000 residents
−772 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
New homes permitted (calendar 2025)
82
2025
−21.9% since 2024
0.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$72,230
2020–24
+21.5% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
44,039
2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net migration (IRS tax returns)
+80
2022–23
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022–23. People on tax returns moving in minus moving out, U.S. and abroad; the sum of the member counties (moves between them cancel out).
Population, migration, employment, permits, unemployment and income are the figures each agency publishes for the area itself (OMB Bulletin 23-01 delineation; ACS 2016-20 and CBP 2018 use the delineation of their year). IRS migration is the sum of the member counties.
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 238 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Private employers had 44,039 paid employees in mid-March 2023 (County Business Patterns).
Builders were authorized to start 82 new homes in 2025, or 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $72,230 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +21.5% since 2016–20.
Population growth over five years ranks 7th of 21 Illinois micro areas and 421st of 538 U.S. micro areas.
IRS tax-return data for 2022-2023 show a net gain of 80 people (the sum of its counties).
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How it ranks
| Measure | Among U.S. micro areas |
|---|---|
| Population growth | 421st of 538 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 253rd of 538 |
| Median household income | 122nd of 538 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 457th of 534 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment), against areas with a figure for the same period.
Fastest-growing metro areas in Illinois · Fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
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The County Growth and Demographics Report for LaSalle County, IL, the principal county of the Ottawa, IL area, as a PDF: population and migration, housing and rents, permits, private employers and jobs, unemployment, ranks in the state and the country, and neighbouring counties, with a source next to every number. Pay once, no subscription.
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Counties in this micro area
LaSalle County, IL drove the change: of the 2,348 residents the Ottawa, IL micro area lost from 2020 to 2025 (the sum of its counties), it lost 1,638 (70%).
| County | Role | Residents2025 | Share of residents2025 | Change2020–2025 | Share of the change2020–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaSalle County, IL | Central | 107,773 | 73.9% | −1,638 (−1.5%) | 70% |
| Bureau County, IL | Central | 32,510 | 22.3% | −705 (−2.1%) | 30% |
| Putnam County, IL | Outlying | 5,619 | 3.9% | −5 (−0.1%) | 0% |
Census Bureau population estimates (July 1). Shares are of the member counties' total; a share of the change shows only when every county moved the same way. – means no figure for the common period.
Nearby and similar metro areas
Next to this micro area
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INpop −0.0%
- Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-ILpop −0.9%
- Peoria, ILpop −1.3%
Similar in size
Questions
Is the Ottawa, IL micro area growing?
No. Its population fell 1.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 2,348 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates).
Which county in the Ottawa, IL micro area is growing fastest?
None of its 3 member counties grew between 2020 and 2025. Putnam County, IL came closest (−0.1%; Census Bureau population estimates).
How many people moved to the Ottawa, IL micro area?
On net, about 238 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate). International migration is not in this figure.
What is the population of the Ottawa, IL micro area?
About 145,902 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in the Ottawa, IL micro area?
Private employers there had 44,039 paid employees in mid-March 2023 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
LaSalle County data alerts
Email me when LaSalle County gets new Census numbers: population, building permits, jobs and income. About 4 emails a year, one click to stop.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.