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CITY

Lerna

Illinois · 216 residents (2025 est.) · 0.115 sq mi
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The short version

Lerna has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $67,679. Population has fallen 30% since 2000, a loss of 96 residents. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $94,400. At a median age of 31.4, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
226
−30%since 2000
from 322 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,965 / sq mi
−30%since 2000
from 2,800 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
31.4
+8%since 2000
from 29.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:216 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1992633273904541990201020202024Lerna
2024226
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,679
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,292 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,484
+45%since 2000
from $19,596 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.2%
+31.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.6%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.346
+17%since 2010
from 0.295 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information23.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services12.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade5.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$94,400
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$850
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.0%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 82.1% in 2000
23.0% rent
Vacancy rate
25.6%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
9.0%
−11.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+6%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
63
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lerna on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(316)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.6%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.7%(223)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.3%(3)
Diversity Score3.3%(7)
Diversity Score
3
+110%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.4%
+22.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+74%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.2%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 75.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.4%
−19.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.5%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.0%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.6%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
48.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2012
from 12.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−86.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.0%
+25.0 ptssince 2017
from 67.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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LERNA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Lerna, Illinois?

Lerna, Illinois has about 226 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lerna, Illinois?

The typical household in Lerna, Illinois earns about $67,679 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lerna, Illinois expensive?

In Lerna, Illinois, the median home is worth about $94,400, and the typical rent is about $850 a month.

How educated are people in Lerna, Illinois?

About 11.3% of adults age 25 and over in Lerna, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lerna, Illinois?

About 14.6% of people in Lerna, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lerna, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Lerna, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 56 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Lerna, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy