Median Age
43 Years
Largest Age Group
60-69 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
22%
Ottawa
Ottawa, IL Area Guide
Avg Rent
$733
Population
18,841
Renter Mix
35% Rent
The Radium City offers rich heritage and timeless Midwestern personality
Rural
•
River
•
Interstate
•
Historic
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Ottawa is a small city located about eighty miles southwest of Chicago, where the Fox River and the Illinois River come together. The community makes a big deal out of preserving and celebrating its role in American history: a monument commemorates the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858, the preserved John Hossack House served as a station on the Underground Railroad, and the founder of the Boy Scouts of America was a longtime resident. The surrounding countryside offers a tranquil atmosphere, and the nearby Buffalo Rock, Starved Rock, and Matthiessen State Parks provide beautiful venues for spending quality time outdoors. The local rental market offers a diverse selection of apartments and single-family homes, with great options available for any budget or lifestyle.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$66,220
Average: $81,032
Education
3,930
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
9,317
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Ottawa has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
35%
Non-Renters
65%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Ottawa, IL is $825 for a studio, $732 for one bedroom, $1,046 for two bedrooms, and $1,670 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ottawa has increased by 4.6% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$732/month
605 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Ottawa, IL is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Deer Park Child Care Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-8
47 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
396 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
380 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
341 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
292 Students
Deer Park Child Care Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-8
47 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
396 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
63 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
389 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,261 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Buffalo Rock State Park
- LaSalle Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
- Illini State Park
- Starved Rock State Park
Top Apartments in Ottawa
Houses for Rent in Ottawa
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.