County population in 2014: 15,945 (22% urban, 78% rural); it was 16,957 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 3,284 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,136 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 5,281 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,314 (it was 1,343 in 2000)
% of renters here:
20%
State:
33%
Land area: 561 sq. mi.
Water area: 7.9 sq. mi.
Population density: 28 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Mercer County: 84.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Estimated median household income in 2015: $56,672 ($40,893 in 1999)
This county:
$56,672
Illinois:
$59,588
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $449 (lower quartile is $352, upper quartile is $588)
This county:
$449
State:
$811
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $101,665 (it was $70,900 in 2000)
Mercer:
$101,665
Illinois:
$180,300
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $67,044 - $159,230 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,017 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $421
Institutionalized population: 184
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $2,288 (2.2%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $2,020 (2.0%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 9.4%
(9.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 15.5% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 25.0% for American Indian residents, 17.7% for other race residents, 22.3% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 8.9%
Mercer County:
8.9%
Illinois:
13.6%
(8.7% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 14.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 25.0% for American Indian residents, 16.4% for other race residents, 21.3% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 44 years old
(Males: 43 years old, Females: 45 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 45 years old, Black residents: 37 years old, American Indian residents: 51 years old, Asian residents: 38 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 19 years old, Other race residents: 22 years old)
Area name: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mercer County is $457 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $575 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $733 a month.
Current college students: 605 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 84.9% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.6%
Number of foreign born residents: 105 (44% naturalized citizens)
Mercer County:
0.6%
Whole state:
12.3%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 22
1990 to 1994: 20
1985 to 1989: 7
1980 to 1984: 8
1975 to 1979: 1
1970 to 1974: 11
1970 to 1974: 0
1965 to 1969: 36
Note: State values scaled to Mercer County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 27.8 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 40.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 6,215
One, attached: 63
Two: 94
3 or 4: 131
5 to 9: 104
10 to 19: 35
20 or more: 63
Mobile homes: 402
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 2
Housing units in Mercer County with a mortgage: 2,377 (214 second mortgage, 229 home equity loan, 5 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,796
Here:
57.0% with mortgage
State:
69.8% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Mercer County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
4,906
21
Catholic
1,521
4
Evangelical Protestant
968
10
Other
3
1
None
9,036
-
Mercer County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 4
Mercer County:
2.43 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.24 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 11
Mercer County:
6.69 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois:
2.61 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 8
This county:
4.86 / 10,000 pop.
State:
6.86 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mercer County:
9.1%
Illinois:
8.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Mercer County:
26.7%
State:
25.2%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
14.9%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Mercer County:
Average size of farms: 392 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $120,823 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $296.29 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.16% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 24.52% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $102,029 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 78.44% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 2.74% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $111,197 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.80% Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 5.21 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.29% Corn for grain: 120965 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 553 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 99890 harvested acres Vegetables: 494 harvested acres
Earthquake activity:
Mercer County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly below Illinois state average. It is 84% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 242.8 miles away from Mercer County center On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 223.2 miles away from the county center On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.0 MB, 4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 96.7 miles away from the county center On 6/18/2002 at 17:37:15, a magnitude 5.0 (4.3 MB, 4.6 MW, 5.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 272.3 miles away from the county center On 4/18/2008 at 15:14:16, a magnitude 4.8 (4.5 MB, 4.8 MW, 4.6 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 242.8 miles away from Mercer County center On 4/3/1974 at 23:05:02, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 LG) earthquake occurred 228.3 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Illinois Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding, Incident Period: April 16, 2013 to May 05, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4116: May 10, 2013, FEMA Id: 4116, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood, Wind
Illinois Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: January 31, 2011 to February 03, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1960: March 17, 2011, FEMA Id: 1960, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: June 01, 2008 to July 22, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1771: June 24, 2008, FEMA Id: 1771, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Illinois Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3230: September 07, 2005, FEMA Id: 3230, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Illinois Flooding, Incident Period: April 18, 2001 to May 29, 2001, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1368: May 09, 2001, FEMA Id: 1368, Natural disaster type: Flood
Illinois Winter Snow Storm, Incident Period: January 01, 1999 to January 15, 1999, Emergency Declared EM-3134: January 08, 1999, FEMA Id: 3134, Natural disaster type: Storm, Snow
Illinois Flooding, Severe Storms, Incident Period: April 13, 1993 to October 22, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-997: July 09, 1993, FEMA Id: 997, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Illinois Blizzards and Snowstorms, Incident Period: January 16, 1979, Emergency Declared EM-3068: January 16, 1979, FEMA Id: 3068, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Blizzard
Illinois SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, Incident Period: June 10, 1974, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-438: June 10, 1974, FEMA Id: 438, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Illinois SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, Incident Period: April 26, 1973, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-373: April 26, 1973, FEMA Id: 373, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
2 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Mercer County (12) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 9 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 8, Storms: 7, Snowstorms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snow: 1, Tornado: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (8%)
Sales and related occupations (7%)
Material moving occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (25%)
Sales and related occupations (11%)
Management occupations (8%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (6%)
Education, training, and library occupations (6%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (5%)
Personal care and service occupations (5%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Germany (31%)
Philippines (21%)
Other Eastern Europe (13%)
Korea (13%)
United Kingdom (5%)
Colombia (5%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (4%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Mercer County (%):
German (25%)
United States or American (14%)
Swedish (13%)
English (12%)
Irish (11%)
Belgian (3%)
Scotch-Irish (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 6,533 (83%)
Carpooled: 762 (10%)
Motorcycle: 7 (0%)
Bicycle: 6 (0%)
Walked: 145 (2%)
Other means: 86 (1%)
Worked at home: 342 (4%)
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Mercer County, Illinois in 2000:
164 people in nursing homes
29 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
20 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
20 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill
144 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
40 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilitiesAverage gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $53,978.
4.70% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($51,290 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
4.70%
Illinois average:
4.45%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.16% relocated from other counties in Illinois ($37,642 average AGI)
1.54% relocated from other states ($13,648 average AGI)
Mercer County:
1.54%
Illinois average:
1.87%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
5.51% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($35,018 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.51%
Illinois average:
4.96%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.68% relocated to other counties in Illinois ($24,334 average AGI)
1.83% relocated to other states ($10,684 average AGI)
Mercer County:
1.83%
Illinois average:
2.36%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.7 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.7
Births per 1000 population in Mercer County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.2 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 10.3
Deaths per 1000 population in Mercer County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 6.2 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 1.6
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Mercer County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 10.5% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 4.1%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Mercer County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 3,326 (2,972 aged, 354 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 121 (3%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Mercer County, Illinois in 1999 - 2014:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (172)
Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (114)
Congestive heart failure (101)
Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (74)
Malignant neoplasm without specification of site (70)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (65)
Hypertensive heart disease with (congestive) heart failure (57)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 5.89 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 2,392 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 230 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 24,156
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 887 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 851 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 12
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 11 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 47
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 12
Household type by relationship:
Households: 16,249
In family households: 13,913 (3,726 male householders, 998 female householders)
3,924 spouses, 4,398 children (3,971 natural, 131 adopted, 296 stepchildren), 292 grandchildren, 66 brothers or sisters, 76 parents, 86 other relatives, 288 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 2,336 (994 male householders (814 living alone)), 1,016 female householders (925 living alone)), 326 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 185 (184 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 2,398 2-persons, 955 3-persons, 839 4-persons, 357 5-persons, 131 6-persons, 44 7-or-more-persons.
3,194 married couples with children.
671 single-parent households (194 men, 477 women).
98.0% of residents of Mercer County speak English at home.
1.2% of residents speak Spanish at home (57% speak English very well, 13% speak English well, 28% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (75% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 7% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (100% speak English very well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (89% speak English very well, 11% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $86,455,000 ($5,094 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,739,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $42,086,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $18,652,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $14,391,000 Federal grants: $6,525,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,139,000 ($295,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $3,662,000 ($334,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $430,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $6,714,000 Federal Government insurance: $63,909,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 976
Here:
58 per 1000 residents
State:
75 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 915
Here:
54 per 1000 residents
State:
43 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +15
Here:
+1 per 1000 residents
State:
+26 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -99
Here:
-6 per 1000 residents
State:
-31 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Mercer County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.64 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.2
State:
6.1
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
5.3
State:
4.1
Year house built
2014 or later: 0
2010 to 2013: 51
2000 to 2009: 344
1990 to 1999: 614
1980 to 1989: 334
1970 to 1979: 1,191
1960 to 1969: 733
1950 to 1959: 631
1940 to 1949: 457
1939 or earlier: 2,978
Note: State values scaled to Mercer population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Mercer County, Illinois
Note: State values scaled to Mercer County population
no vehicle: 154
1 vehicle: 1,207
2 vehicles: 2,401
3 vehicles: 1,076
4 vehicles: 288
5+ vehicles: 155
no vehicle: 141
1 vehicle: 520
2 vehicles: 495
3 vehicles: 148
4 vehicles: 31
5+ vehicles: 8
65% of Mercer County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 48% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 63% lived in Illinois.
Mercer County:
65.0%
State average:
58.6%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 12,734
Northeast: 155
Midwest: 3,072
South: 513
West: 351
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $45,400
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 0%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Mercer County
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43.0 years
36.0 years
(49.4%)
(50.6%)
, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania 
, Newton County, Indiana 
