Living in Nelson, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Nelson · Census data 2020–2024
Nelson has 125 residents with a median age of 56.9. The median household income is $39,250 (53% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $86,300.
Nelson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Nelson at a glance
- Population
- 125
- Median age
- 56.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $39,250State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $86,300State: $263,300
- Homeowners
- 89.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.6%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Nelson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%.
Cons: Median household income 53% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21.6%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Nelson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Nelson the median home value is $86,300, 74% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $950 a month in housing costs.
Nelson median household income
The median household income in Nelson is $39,250 and the income per person is $25,301. 21.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Nelson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 71
- Owner-occupied
- 89.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 10.5%
- Vacant
- 19.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1943
- Average household size
- 2.19
Nelson demographics
- Population
- 125
- Median age
- 56.9
- Under 18
- 8.8%
- 65 and older
- 33.6%
- Households
- 57
- Foreign-born
- 8.8%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Nelson ›
Education in Nelson
11.6% of adults 25 and older in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 6.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Nelson
- Unemployment rate
- 5.1%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 3.3%
- Drive alone
- 86.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.7%
Nelson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson | 125 | $39,250 | $86,300 | — |
| Sterling | 14,717 | $57,350 | $108,700 | $859 |
| Rock Falls | 8,587 | $49,600 | $83,900 | $754 |
| Harmon | 100 | $66,250 | $151,800 | — |
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | $120,800 | $912 |
| Galt | 213 | $112,569 | — | — |
| Como | 535 | $63,750 | $175,700 | — |
| Coleta | 169 | $56,875 | $111,800 | $925 |
| Grand Detour | 297 | $76,406 | $191,700 | — |
More for people moving to Nelson
Nelson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Nelson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Nelson, IL?
The median household income in Nelson is $39,250, 53% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Nelson?
The median home value in Nelson is $86,300, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
Is Nelson, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 67% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 5.1%. Minuses: median household income 53% lower than the Illinois median; a poverty rate of 21.6%.
What is the median age in Nelson?
The median age in Nelson is 56.9 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Nelson?
The average commute to work in Nelson is 23 minutes; 3.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Nelson?
The unemployment rate in Nelson is 5.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Nelson?
11.6% of adults in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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