Alma, IL

Illinois

Alma is a small town in Illinois with a population of 300. Residents earn $50,500 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
300 Population 265/sq mi density
$50,500 Median Income $28,292 per capita
$43,300 Home Value $123,255 Zillow
$483 Median Rent 24.6% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$50,500 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$43,300 home value, $483/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
8.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,500
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $43,300
85% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.0%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $483
58% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.5%
1% higher than US avg

How Alma Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population300
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density265/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans10.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,500
Per Capita$28,292
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty12.5%
County GDP$1,758M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$43,300
Rent$483
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$123,255
Housing Units179
Rent Burden24.6%

Health

Obesity37.9%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking16.3%
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F (13°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation626 ft (191 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.0%
High School+89.6%
Graduate+2.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute20 min
Broadband88.7%
Libraries4

Is Alma a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alma receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Alma offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alma is $50,500, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 12.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alma is $43,300, 85% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $483 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 0.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Alma experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches, including 10.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Alma has a population of 300 with a density of 265 people per square mile. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.7%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

300
Total Population
265
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Alma vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alma vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alma is $50,500, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Alma vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,500
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,292
Avg Weekly Wage$947
IRS Avg AGI$60,886

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.5%
1% above US avg
Establishments (County)796
County GDP$1,758M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare114
Retail121
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate10.45%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Alma is $43,300, 85% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $483 (58% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $123,255.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$43,300
85% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$123,255

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$483
58% below US avg
Rent Burden24.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.2%
Housing Units179
Median Year Built1975

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Effective Rate10.45%
In Alma, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 16.3% are current smokers. 25.6% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alma vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma11.3%
COPD7.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.3%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.3%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress13.4%
Short Sleep36.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate75.6%
Dental Visits63.4%
Premature Death12,320/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access66.6%
Healthcare Facilities114
Alma has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.9 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.9 inches
21% above US avg
Snowfall10.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation626 ft (191 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density265/sq mi
Coordinates38.7229°N, 88.9117°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.5-point margin. 88.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.1%
D 24.6%

Winner: Republican by 49.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.0%
76% below US avg
High School+89.6%
Graduate Degree+2.3%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density265/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.7%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities114
Restaurants86
Retail Stores121

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Drive Alone85.9%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Salem, IL 7,341 pop · 7.1 mi Central City, IL 1,123 pop · 16.8 mi Centralia, IL 12,009 pop · 18.0 mi Vandalia, IL 6,041 pop · 20.4 mi St. Elmo, IL 1,401 pop · 20.9 mi Louisville, IL 1,288 pop · 22.1 mi Flora, IL 4,860 pop · 23.9 mi Altamont, IL 2,500 pop · 24.7 mi Carlyle, IL 3,134 pop · 26.0 mi Greenville, IL 7,159 pop · 28.1 mi Mount Vernon, IL 14,492 pop · 28.2 mi Beckemeyer, IL 1,024 pop · 29.2 mi Wayne City, IL 1,050 pop · 31.2 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 33.6 mi
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