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CITY

Nelson

Illinois · 127 residents (2025 est.) · 0.357 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,250. Population has fallen 23% since 2000, a loss of 38 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $86,300. With a median age of 56.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 53% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 56.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 10%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
125
−23%since 2000
from 163 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
350 / sq mi
−23%since 2000
from 457 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
56.9
+38%since 2000
from 41.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:127 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
901421952473001990201020202024Nelson
2024125
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,250
−40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,833 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,301
+68%since 2000
from $15,043 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
21.1%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.6%
−8.4 ptssince 2000
from 30.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.418
+30%since 2010
from 0.322 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services13.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical8.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration8.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
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
$86,300
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
89.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
10.5% rent
Vacancy rate
19.7%
+19.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.3%
+19.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+49%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
28
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(152)
Black0.6%(1)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score15.8%(26)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(119)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(4)
Asian1.6%(2)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score11.6%(14)
Diversity Score
12
−27%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.6%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
75.9%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+41%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 89.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% 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
14.0%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.1%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 12.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.2%
−38.5 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.3%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
35.2%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
64.8%
+19.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
8.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.9%
−42.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.4%
+11.4 ptssince 2012
from 11.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−87.4 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.7%
+28.4 ptssince 2017
from 52.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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NELSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Illinois?

Nelson, Illinois has about 125 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Illinois?

The typical household in Nelson, Illinois earns about $39,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson, Illinois expensive?

In Nelson, Illinois, the median home is worth about $86,300.

How educated are people in Nelson, Illinois?

About 11.6% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson, Illinois?

About 21.6% of people in Nelson, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 57 residents, a change of about -31 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 →