Yates City is a village in Knox County, Illinois, United States. The population was 642 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Yates City was named after Yates County, New York.

• Clinton L. Ewing, Illinois state legislator, businessman, farmer, born in Yates City
• Owen B. West, Republican member of Illinois House of Representatives from 1915 to 1927, businessman, farmer, and former mayor of Yates City
• Bradley Wrage, 4th place in the 2012 State Farm MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships clocking in at 9:14.31 in the 3000 meters steeplechase. Yates City hosted a celebration for Bradley's feat with a 1.5 mile parade of tractors.

Yates City is in southeastern Knox County. Illinois Route 8 passes through the center of the village, leading east 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to Elmwood and west 7 miles (11 km) to Illinois Route 97 near Maquon. Galesburg, the Knox county seat, is 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Yates City.

According to the 2010 census, Yates City has a total area of 0.52 square miles (1.35 km), all land.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	679		—
1890	687		1.2%
1900	650		−5.4%
1910	586		−9.8%
1920	582		−0.7%
1930	592		1.7%
1940	576		−2.7%
1950	623		8.2%
1960	802		28.7%
1970	840		4.7%
1980	860		2.4%
1990	760		−11.6%
2000	725		−4.6%
2010	693		−4.4%
2020	642		−7.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 725 people, 299 households, and 209 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,235.2 inhabitants per square mile (476.9/km). There were 322 housing units at an average density of 548.6 per square mile (211.8/km). The racial makeup of the village was 98.90% White, 0.41% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.28% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races.

There were 299 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,344, and the median income for a family was $42,679. Males had a median income of $33,625 versus $20,956 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,036. About 6.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.