PreemptionIL
127 people live in this town, settled in 1843.
Is Preemption a good place to live?
Of the 769 Illinois towns we compare, none has a higher home-ownership rate than Preemption. Preemption has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
127 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Moving to Preemption: who provides what
Preemption is unincorporated, so Mercer County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Preemption.
Most people working in Preemption commute elsewhere
The median commute is under 16 miles. The top destinations are Rock Island (11%), Moline (11%) and Davenport (11%). Preemption’s median household income stands at $86,000.
Where working residents work
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
In Preemption, expect four seasons and pleasant summers
July afternoons reach 84°, January nights drop to 14° and about 22 inches of snow falls in a winter.
Typical low → high °F
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
How healthy Preemption is
The share of adults in Preemption who had a checkup this year: 80%. Against the Illinois average, Preemption comes out ahead on 7 CDC measures out of 32, and behind on 7. Nearly two fifths of Preemption adults have high blood pressure, above both Illinois’ towns (35%) and U.S. towns (35%). In Preemption, 13% of adults have diabetes, and 14% report frequent physical distress.
| Preemption | Illinois towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 39% | 35% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 13% | 11% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 13% | 14% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 38% | 37% | 35% |
| What stands out | Preemption | IL |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 9.8% | 13.2% |
| Fewer uninsured adults | 7.4% | 9.9% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.6% | 7.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Preemption faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
On expected storm and flood damage, Preemption sits above 55% of U.S. communities. Nearly a quarter of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by strong winds at 18%.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Rock Island Arsenal and 11 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Preemption. Close and well known come first.
14 mi Ancient siteRock Island Arsenal
11 mi MuseumBlack Hawk State Historic Site
14 mi MuseumFigge Art Museum77K visitors a year12 mi Zoo & aquariumNiabi Zoo
15 mi MuseumPutnam Museum
16 mi GardenVander Veer Botanical ParkPhoto credits
Rock Island Arsenal: Robert A, Ryan, J. Ceronia, and Bruce A. Harms, Photographers, Public domain · Black Hawk State Historic Site: Bill Whittaker (talk). Original uploader was Billwhittaker at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Figge Art Museum: Ctjf83, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Putnam Museum: Ctjf83 of English Wikipedia (log), Public domain · Vander Veer Botanical Park: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
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Everything we know about Preemption
Colleges nearby
5 within 15 miles of the center of Preemption
About 0 of every 100 Preemption residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Illinois.
100% of working residents leave Preemption for work
Where Preemption’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
About Preemption
Census-designated place in Illinois, United States
Preemption is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Preemption Township, Mercer County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 254. Preemption is 4 miles (6 km) west of Sherrard. Roy James Carver (1909-1981), American philanthropist and businessman, was born in Preemption.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Elevation
- 810 ft
- ZIP code
- 61276
Questions about Preemption
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Preemption, IL a good place to live?
Preemption has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.