Living in St. Elmo, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of St. Elmo · Census data 2020–2024
St. Elmo has 1,257 residents with a median age of 40.1. The median household income is $45,294 (46% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $82,600, the median rent is $762/month.
St. Elmo is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
St. Elmo at a glance
- Population
- 1,257
- Median age
- 40.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $45,294State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $82,600State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $762/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 82%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 6.2%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is St. Elmo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 69% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in St. Elmo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In St. Elmo the median home value is $82,600, 75% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $762 per month, which is 24.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $935 a month in housing costs.
St. Elmo median household income
The median household income in St. Elmo is $45,294 and the income per person is $23,298. 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in St. Elmo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 510
- Owner-occupied
- 82%
- Renter-occupied
- 18%
- Vacant
- 10.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1954
- Average household size
- 2.65
St. Elmo demographics
- Population
- 1,257
- Median age
- 40.1
- Under 18
- 23.7%
- 65 and older
- 18.1%
- Households
- 456
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 5.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of St. Elmo ›
Education in St. Elmo
6.2% of adults 25 and older in St. Elmo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 3.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in St. Elmo
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 9%
- Drive alone
- 81.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.6%
St. Elmo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Elmo | 1,257 | $45,294 | $82,600 | $762 |
| Brownstown | 722 | $53,000 | $72,900 | $886 |
| Altamont | 2,282 | $75,510 | $129,800 | $791 |
| St. Peter | 338 | $63,500 | $99,600 | $650 |
| Beecher City | 414 | $43,750 | $90,800 | $596 |
| Edgewood | 351 | $47,604 | $85,500 | $591 |
| La Clede | 135 | $43,641 | $63,000 | — |
| Mason | 467 | $65,455 | $82,900 | $911 |
| Farina | 570 | $46,146 | $83,800 | $777 |
More for people moving to St. Elmo
St. Elmo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in St. Elmo: FAQ
What is the median household income in St. Elmo, IL?
The median household income in St. Elmo is $45,294, 46% 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 St. Elmo?
The median home value in St. Elmo is $82,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in St. Elmo?
The median gross rent in St. Elmo is $762 per month, about 24.6% of household income.
Is St. Elmo, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 69% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 27.8%.
What is the median age in St. Elmo?
The median age in St. Elmo is 40.1 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in St. Elmo?
The average commute to work in St. Elmo is 23 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in St. Elmo?
The unemployment rate in St. Elmo is 7.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is St. Elmo?
6.2% of adults in St. Elmo 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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