Based on the historical population data for the ZIP code 62545, which corresponds to Mechanicsburg in Illinois, the area has experienced moderate population growth over the past decade. The population increased from 1,033 in 2010 to 1,181 in 2022, representing a 14.3 percent growth rate. However, the population has slightly declined since its peak of 1,260 in 2018.

The population density of the area in 2022 is 36.46 people per square mile, which is considered very low. This low population density suggests that the area is predominantly rural, with large expanses of land per household and limited infrastructure and services. The lifestyle in such areas is typically centered around privacy, self-sustainability, and outdoor activities, with agriculture and undeveloped land being the primary land uses.

Given the estimated 2022 population of 1,181 and the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated number of housing units in the area is approximately 452. This relatively low number of housing units further supports the characterization of the area as rural, with dispersed housing and minimal urban development.