How long does it take for an average person to swim 1 mile?

The world record for the 1,500 meter freestyle (short course) is 14 minutes, 10.10 seconds set by Grant Hackett of Australia in 2001. 1,500 meters is 120 yards less than one mile. That would put someone swimming a mile at that pace at a time of 15 minutes, 12 seconds. But, remember, that time would be at a world record pace.