Skip to content
The American Political Almanac
RECONSTRUCTION & THE GILDED AGETHE SYSTEM OF 1896THE NEW DEAL ORDERTHE LONG REALIGNMENTPOLARIZED ERA1868RRRRD1888RDRRR1908RDDRR1928RDDDD1948DRRDD1968RRDRR1988RDDRR2008DDRD2024R

County record · fips 17131 · Illinois

MercerIL

Republican ×3 since 2016all 40 elections, 1868–2024

The Long Record

40 elections against the Illinois and national vote
2024 result
R+27.7
won by Republicans
Record since first cycle
9–31
Dem–Rep two-party wins
Voted with the winner
26/40
65% of its elections
Closest election
2004
D+1.2
this countyIllinoisnational (official)dot colour = two-party winner · hollow = tie or unknown total · click a dot to open that election

The Biggest Swings

Cycle-over-cycle change in the two-party margin, in points
ElectionSwingToward
1872-72.4 ptsRepublicans
1876+70.9 ptsDemocrats
1912+48.6 ptsDemocrats
1916-46.6 ptsRepublicans
1932+40.7 ptsDemocrats

Who Lives Here

Census & ACS county profile, 2024
Population
15,495
College (BA+)
21%
Median income
$74,182
2024 dollars
Non-white
7%
Rural
100%
Age 65+
22%

Interpolated between Census/ACS anchors; income CPI-deflated to 2024. Demographics begin in 2000 — earlier cycles have returns only.

Neighbouring counties

Henderson, IL · Henry, IL · Knox, IL · Rock Island, IL · Warren, IL · Des Moines, IA · Louisa, IA