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CITY · 2020 ACS

St. Elmo

Illinois · 1,254 residents · 1.483 sq mi
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The short version

St. Elmo has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,913. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $80,100. The poverty rate of 22.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,254
−14%since 2000
from 1,456 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
846 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 982 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.8
+11%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024St. Elmo
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,913
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,750 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,890
+42%since 2000
from $14,048 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.6%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.1%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade23.5%
US avg: 10%
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing5.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$80,100
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$605
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $383 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
22.2% rent
Afford Score
1.8
+26%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in St. Elmo on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(1,440)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(1)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.5%(8)
2020
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(1,212)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(16)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score4.2%(53)
Diversity Score
4
+709%since 2000
from 1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.5%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.5 min
+52%since 2000
from 14.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
88.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.2%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.3%
−7.0 ptssince 2011
from 60.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.0%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.4%
−76.4 ptssince 2013
from 83.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare St. Elmo to nearby cities

ST. ELMO VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+65%
Home value$177,500+122%
Population12,406+923%
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ST. ELMO VS
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Income$47,807+9%
Home value$89,600+12%
Population11,863+878%
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ST. ELMO VS
Mattoon
Income$51,597+17%
Home value$97,700+22%
Population16,667+1274%
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ST. ELMO VS
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Income$57,552+31%
Home value$104,100+30%
Population10,522+767%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in St. Elmo, Illinois?

St. Elmo, Illinois has about 1,254 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in St. Elmo, Illinois?

The typical household in St. Elmo, Illinois earns about $43,913 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is St. Elmo, Illinois expensive?

In St. Elmo, Illinois, the median home is worth about $80,100, and the typical rent is about $605 a month.

How educated are people in St. Elmo, Illinois?

About 11.8% of adults age 25 and over in St. Elmo, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in St. Elmo, Illinois?

About 22.1% of people in St. Elmo, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has St. Elmo, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, St. Elmo, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 219 residents, a change of about -15 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 →