Zip code 61281: Sherrard, Illinois

Q: What city is zip code 61281?

61281 is assigned to Sherrard, Illinois. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 61281 in?

61281 is mostly in Mercer County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 61281?

About 2,520 people live in 61281, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 61281?

The median household income in 61281 is $102,639.

Q: What zip codes are near 61281?

The closest zip codes to 61281 are 61276, 61263, 61465, 61468, 61273.

Residential delivery areaMercer CountyCentral Time

Population

2,520

Median household income

$103K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$224K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$763/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

47.6

U.S. 38.9

Land area

40 sq mi

63 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 61281

61281 is a small-town zip code in Sherrard, Illinois (Mercer County), covering 40 sq mi of land. About 2,520 people live here, or 63 per square mile. The median resident is 47.6 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $102,639 a year, 27% above the national median of $80,734. 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $224,000, or 2.2 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 92% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $763 a month.

27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 26.8 minutes each way, and 8% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in management; construction and repair; and cleaning and personal care.

How 61281 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Homeownership rate92.4%
98th
StrengthU.S. 65.2% · IL 67.1%159th of 1,338 in IL
Median age47.6
92nd
U.S. 38.9 · IL 39276th of 1,342 in IL
Veterans8.4%
81st
U.S. 6.2% · IL 4.8%360th of 1,342 in IL
Median household income$102,639
74th
U.S. $80,734 · IL $83,390229th of 1,316 in IL
Per capita income$49,103
70th
U.S. $44,673 · IL $46,406241st of 1,341 in IL
Housing vacancy9.2%
67th
U.S. 10.1% · IL 7.7%594th of 1,338 in IL
Residents 65 and older17.8%
59th
U.S. 17.2% · IL 17%825th of 1,342 in IL
Average commute26.8 min
55th
U.S. 26.4 min · IL 27.8 min654th of 1,317 in IL
Government workers14.2%
54th
U.S. 14.5% · IL 13.3%625th of 1,340 in IL
Median earnings per worker$49,107
53rd
U.S. $49,666 · IL $51,895558th of 1,336 in IL
Bachelor's degree or higher27.1%
39th
U.S. 35.7% · IL 37.8%453rd of 1,340 in IL
Residents under 1820.4%
35th
U.S. 22% · IL 21.8%866th of 1,342 in IL
Median home value$224,000
27th
U.S. $332,700 · IL $263,300368th of 1,311 in IL
Work from home7.5%
19th
U.S. 15.1% · IL 15.9%791st of 1,339 in IL
Broadband access84.5%
11th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · IL 90.8%1,002nd of 1,338 in IL
Poverty rate4.6%
10th
StrengthU.S. 12.5% · IL 11.8%1,123rd of 1,339 in IL
Tech workers0.8%
10th
U.S. 3.8% · IL 3.8%810th of 1,340 in IL
Healthcare workers6.3%
10th
U.S. 9.7% · IL 9.5%1,095th of 1,340 in IL
Self-employed workers6.1%
10th
U.S. 10% · IL 8.8%1,030th of 1,340 in IL
Population density63/sq mi
9th
U.S. 95/sq mi · IL 229/sq mi671st of 1,342 in IL
Uninsured rate2.5%
9th
StrengthU.S. 8.4% · IL 6.9%1,013th of 1,341 in IL
Foreign-born residents1.4%
8th
U.S. 14.1% · IL 14.7%690th of 1,342 in IL
Income inequality (Gini)0.372
7th
StrengthU.S. 0.483 · IL 0.481967th of 1,336 in IL
Unemployment rate2.1%
6th
StrengthU.S. 5.2% · IL 5.8%1,057th of 1,340 in IL
Rent-burdened renters32.2%
6th
StrengthU.S. 51.1% · IL 47.9%877th of 1,291 in IL
Median gross rent$763
5th
U.S. $1,413 · IL $1,274921st of 1,170 in IL
Diversity index12
5th
U.S. 61.4 · IL 60.5891st of 1,342 in IL
Population2,520
4th
U.S. 334,922,499 · IL 12,694,798615th of 1,342 in IL

Measure	61281	Mercer	IL	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in IL
Homeownership rateStrength	92.4%	83.8%	67.1%	65.2%	98th	159th of 1,338
Median age	47.6	44.7	39	38.9	92nd	276th of 1,342
Veterans	8.4%	8.4%	4.8%	6.2%	81st	360th of 1,342
Median household income	$102,639	$74,182	$83,390	$80,734	74th	229th of 1,316
Per capita income	$49,103	$39,391	$46,406	$44,673	70th	241st of 1,341
Housing vacancy	9.2%	9.9%	7.7%	10.1%	67th	594th of 1,338
Residents 65 and older	17.8%	21.9%	17%	17.2%	59th	825th of 1,342
Average commute	26.8 min	28.1 min	27.8 min	26.4 min	55th	654th of 1,317
Government workers	14.2%	14.1%	13.3%	14.5%	54th	625th of 1,340
Median earnings per worker	$49,107	$48,166	$51,895	$49,666	53rd	558th of 1,336
Bachelor's degree or higher	27.1%	20.9%	37.8%	35.7%	39th	453rd of 1,340
Residents under 18	20.4%	20.8%	21.8%	22%	35th	866th of 1,342
Median home value	$224,000	$146,700	$263,300	$332,700	27th	368th of 1,311
Work from home	7.5%	10.1%	15.9%	15.1%	19th	791st of 1,339
Broadband accessWeakness	84.5%	90.5%	90.8%	91%	11th	1,002nd of 1,338
Poverty rateStrength	4.6%	8.9%	11.8%	12.5%	10th	1,123rd of 1,339
Tech workers	0.8%	0.8%	3.8%	3.8%	10th	810th of 1,340
Healthcare workers	6.3%	6.6%	9.5%	9.7%	10th	1,095th of 1,340
Self-employed workers	6.1%	9.8%	8.8%	10%	10th	1,030th of 1,340
Population density	63/sq mi	28/sq mi	229/sq mi	95/sq mi	9th	671st of 1,342
Uninsured rateStrength	2.5%	4.6%	6.9%	8.4%	9th	1,013th of 1,341
Foreign-born residents	1.4%	1.1%	14.7%	14.1%	8th	690th of 1,342
Income inequality (Gini)Strength	0.372	0.414	0.481	0.483	7th	967th of 1,336
Unemployment rateStrength	2.1%	3.2%	5.8%	5.2%	6th	1,057th of 1,340
Rent-burdened rentersStrength	32.2%	37.7%	47.9%	51.1%	6th	877th of 1,291
Median gross rent	$763	$786	$1,274	$1,413	5th	921st of 1,170
Diversity index	12	13.1	60.5	61.4	5th	891st of 1,342
Population	2,520	15,495	12,694,798	334,922,499	4th	615th of 1,342

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

18%

5–17

18–24

25–34

10%

35–44

16%

45–54

23%

55–64

12%

65–74

75+

Median age

47.6

Under 18

20.4%

65 and over

17.8%

Race and ethnicity

White94%
Black0%
Hispanic4%
Asian0.5%
Native American0.5%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial2%

Diversity index

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

1.4%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

64.5%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

94%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 965
Average household size: 2.6
Family households: 76.3%
Married couples: 71.1%
Living alone: 19.4%
Veterans (of adults): 8.4%
Male / female: 55% / 45%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

$25–50k

$50–75k

17%

$75–100k

16%

$100–150k

23%

$150–200k

16%

$200k+

13%

Median household income

61281

$102,639

Mercer Co.

$74,182

Illinois

$83,390

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$49,103

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

4.6%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

28.5%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.372

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

61281

$224,000

Mercer Co.

$146,700

Illinois

$263,300

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

61281

$763

Mercer Co.

$786

Illinois

$1,274

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

98%

2–4 units

0.6%

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

0.2%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 1,063
Owner-occupied: 92.4%
Vacant: 9.2%
Median year built: 1974
Median rooms: 6.5
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 32.2%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 32.2%
Home value to income: 2.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

87%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

0.2%

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10–19

13%

20–29

37%

30–44

28%

45–59

13%

60+

Average commute

26.8 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

2.1%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

64.6%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Management

16%

Construction and repair

11%

Cleaning and personal care

10%

Office and admin

10%

Sales

Transportation and moving

Education

Business and finance

Healthcare

Food service

Engineering and science

Production

Arts, media and sports

Farming, fishing and forestry

Legal and social services

Computer and math

0.8%

Police and fire

0.7%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

16%

Retail

14%

Education

12%

Finance, insurance and real estate

11%

Construction

11%

Manufacturing

10%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Other services

Restaurants and hotels

Professional and technical services

Public administration

Wholesale

Agriculture and mining

Admin, support and management

Arts and recreation

0.6%

Information

0.3%

Median earnings per worker

$49,107

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

6.1%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

14.2%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

7.8%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	61281	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$66,339	$74,888
Service	$37,870	$26,804
Sales and office	$25,486	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$73,750	$49,199
Production and transportation	$51,979	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

High school

36%

Some college

18%

Associate's

16%

Bachelor's

16%

Graduate

11%

High school graduate or higher: 96.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 27.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 10.9%
Households with broadband: 84.5%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 60.2%
No internet access: 12.7%
Without health insurance: 2.5%
Limited-English households: 0.8%

Geography

City (USPS): Sherrard
State: Illinois
County: Mercer County
Center point: 41.2998° N, 90.5201° W
Land area: 40 sq mi
Water area: 0.3 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

61281 spans 2 counties

Mercer County83% of land
Rock Island County17% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Cable (unincorporated)3% of zip
Sherrard2% of zip
Preemption (unincorporated)1% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 61281

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
61276	Preemption, IL	3.1 mi	88	$87,750	$89,000
61263	Matherville, IL	4.6 mi	657	$86,500	$134,800
61465	New Windsor, IL	6.5 mi	1,192	$56,875	$127,400
61468	Ophiem, IL	7.5 mi	92	$42,969	$96,800
61273	Orion, IL	7.7 mi	3,120	$99,032	$187,400
61486	Viola, IL	7.8 mi	1,330	$78,889	$134,800
61264	Milan, IL	8.1 mi	10,073	$78,068	$153,300
61262	Lynn Center, IL	9.1 mi	1,197	$86,250	$244,700
61240	Coal Valley, IL	9.6 mi	5,795	$113,220	$237,000
61279	Reynolds, IL	11 mi	1,015	$87,656	$161,500
61413	Alpha, IL	11 mi	1,035	$73,125	$120,100
61233	Andover, IL	12 mi	281	$71,667	$182,600

Zip codes like 61281 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 61281

What city is zip code 61281?

61281 is assigned to Sherrard, Illinois. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 61281 in?

61281 is mostly in Mercer County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 61281?

About 2,520 people live in 61281, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 61281 in?

61281 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 61281?

The median household income in 61281 is $102,639.

What zip codes are near 61281?

The closest zip codes to 61281 are 61276, 61263, 61465, 61468, 61273.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 61281, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.