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CITY · 2020 ACS

Nelson

Illinois · 127 residents · 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 $33,750. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 36 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $75,000. With a median age of 51.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 51% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 51.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
127
−22%since 2000
from 163 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
356 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 457 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
51.3
+25%since 2000
from 41.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
901421952473001990201020202024Nelson
2024125
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,750
−37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,833 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,076
+47%since 2000
from $15,043 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.8%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.8%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 30.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade30.2%
US avg: 10%
Other services11.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information7.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services1.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$75,000
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$713
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.6%
−7.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
23.4% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+51%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic85%(108)
Black0.8%(1)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score12.6%(16)
Diversity Score
13
−21%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.9%
+21.3 ptssince 2000
from 60.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+29%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
92.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 89.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 12.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.3%
−20.4 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
20.8%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
34.1%
−20.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.4% in 2009
Female
65.9%
+20.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−85.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Nelson to nearby cities

NELSON VS
Sterling
Income$57,350+70%
Home value$108,700+45%
Population14,394+11234%
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NELSON VS
Rock Falls
Income$49,600+47%
Home value$83,900+12%
Population8,521+6609%
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NELSON VS
Dixon
Income$59,406+76%
Home value$120,800+61%
Population14,582+11382%
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NELSON VS
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Income$66,307+96%
Home value$164,300+119%
Population9,498+7379%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Illinois?

Nelson, Illinois has about 127 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Illinois?

The typical household in Nelson, Illinois earns about $33,750 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 $75,000, and the typical rent is about $713 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Illinois?

About 11.7% 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 25.8% 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 55 residents, a change of about -30 percent over that period.

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

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