| Year | Won | Margin | Democratic | Republican | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | R | 2,950 | 5,215 | 8,346 | |
| 2020 | R | 3,280 | 5,418 | 8,914 | |
| 2016 | R | 3,071 | 4,807 | 8,525 | |
| 2012 | D | 4,507 | 3,876 | 8,568 | |
| 2008 | D | 4,887 | 3,833 | 8,848 | |
| 2004 | D | 4,512 | 4,405 | 8,974 | |
| 2000 | D | 4,400 | 3,688 | 8,318 | |
| 1996 | D | 4,278 | 2,688 | 7,897 | |
| 1992 | D | 3,990 | 2,983 | 8,540 | |
| 1988 | D | 4,204 | 3,683 | 7,929 | |
| 1984 | R | 3,982 | 4,907 | 8,927 | |
| 1980 | R | 3,361 | 5,144 | 9,156 | |
| 1976 | R | 4,090 | 4,816 | 8,982 | |
| 1972 | R | 3,477 | 5,452 | 8,940 | |
| 1968 | R | 3,143 | 4,844 | 8,600 | |
| 1964 | D | 4,410 | 4,220 | 8,630 | |
| 1960 | R | 3,476 | 5,582 | 9,061 | |
| 1956 | R | 2,969 | 5,732 | 8,708 | |
| 1952 | R | 2,679 | 6,416 | 9,097 | |
| 1948 | R | 3,117 | 5,267 | 8,420 | |
| 1944 | R | 3,277 | 5,667 | 8,978 | |
| 1940 | R | 3,830 | 6,336 | 10,204 | |
| 1936 | R | 4,751 | 5,028 | 9,884 | |
| 1932 | R | 4,309 | 4,436 | 8,835 | |
| 1928 | R | 2,316 | 5,699 | 8,073 | |
| 1924 | R | 1,699 | 5,618 | 8,225 | |
| 1920 | R | 1,574 | 5,531 | 7,416 | |
| 1916 | R | 3,430 | 5,308 | 9,006 | |
| 1912 | D | 1,602 | 959 | 4,996 | |
| 1908 | R | 1,777 | 2,871 | 4,992 | |
| 1904 | R | 1,386 | 3,230 | 5,075 | |
| 1900 | R | 2,110 | 3,304 | 5,563 | |
| 1896 | R | 2,329 | 3,120 | 5,524 | |
| 1892 | R | 1,975 | 2,470 | 4,687 | |
| 1888 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1884 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1876 | — | — | — | — |
Mercer County's 2024 presidential margin of R+27.1 reflects a broader rural realignment across western Illinois, where small agricultural communities have moved decisively away from their mid-20th-century Democratic leanings.
The Republican margin in Mercer County reached its widest at fifty-three points in 1920. The margin in 2024 was twenty-seven points, in line with the county's deep historical pattern.
Mercer County's loyalty is rooted in its place. Median household income of $74,182, a 94% non-Hispanic-white share, and a population of 15,495 together describe a community whose political habits are deeply settled. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Adams County and Henderson County.
