The ZIP code 61840, corresponding to Dewey in Illinois, covers an area of 32.13 square miles and has experienced fluctuations in population and population density over the past decade. The population data from 2010 to 2022 shows that the area's population has ranged between 939 and 1,129 residents, with the population density varying from 29.23 to 35.14 people per square mile.

Given the population density figures, which have consistently remained below 50 people per square mile, the area can be classified as remote rural. This classification suggests that the lifestyle in Dewey is predominantly agricultural or undeveloped, with a focus on privacy and self-sustainability. The low population density implies that households in the area typically occupy large expanses of land, often more than 5 acres, and engage in outdoor and recreational activities due to the natural environment.

The estimated housing units corresponding to the 2022 population of 1,028 is approximately 394, based on the national average household size of 2.61. This relatively low number of housing units spread across the 32.13 square miles further supports the remote rural characterization of the area.