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Lerna, IL

Illinois

Lerna is a small town in Illinois with a population of 220. Residents earn $48,750 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
220 Population 1,833/sq mi density
$48,750 Median Income $26,162 per capita
$80,800 Home Value $187,223 Zillow
$800 Median Rent 25.5% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature 302 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$48,750 median income, 8.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,800 home value, $800/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,750
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,800
71% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $800
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.6%
139% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population220
Median Age30.3 yrs
Density1,833/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,750
Per Capita$26,162
Unemployment8.6%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$3,509M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,800
Rent$800
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$187,223
Housing Units128
Rent Burden25.5%

Health

Obesity35.5%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking13.4%
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain36.0 in/yr
Sunny Days302/yr
Elevation752 ft (229 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+93.7%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute20 min
Broadband91.0%
Libraries2

Is Lerna a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lerna receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Lerna offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lerna is $48,750, 35% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.6%, unemployment is notably high. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lerna is $80,800, 71% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $800 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Lerna experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. With 302 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Lerna has a population of 220 with a density of 1,833 people per square mile. The median age is 30.3 years, 22% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.3%), with 2.7% Hispanic.

Population

220
Total Population
1,833
People / sq mi
30.3yrs
Median Age
22% below US avg
0.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.2%
Female 46.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Lerna vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.0%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.0%
85% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lerna vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lerna is $48,750, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Lerna vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,750
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,162
Avg Weekly Wage$1,019
IRS Avg AGI$73,668

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.6%
139% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,032
County GDP$3,509M

Business (County)

Restaurants124
Healthcare157
Retail177
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,336
52% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.60%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Drive Alone89.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Lerna is $80,800, 71% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $800 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $187,223.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,800
71% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$187,223

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$60
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$800
31% below US avg
Rent Burden25.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.4%
Housing Units128
Median Year Built1957

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,336
52% above US avg
Effective Rate6.60%
In Lerna, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 13.4% are current smokers. 23.9% report depression. 19.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.9%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.4%
4% below US avg
Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity19.6%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress11.7%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.5%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,264
Dentists1:1,853
Mental Health1:166
Checkup Rate75.3%
Dental Visits62.9%
Premature Death9,241/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access83.5%
Healthcare Facilities157
Lerna has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.0 inches. The area enjoys 302 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.4°F
1% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days302 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.0 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation752 ft (229 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density1,833/sq mi
Coordinates39.4179°N, 88.2888°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.5-point margin. 91.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.4%
D 34.9%

Winner: Republican by 28.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+93.7%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,833/sq mi
Total Area0.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities157
Restaurants124
Retail Stores177

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Drive Alone89.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Nearby Cities

Mattoon, IL 16,334 pop · 5.7 mi Charleston, IL 17,212 pop · 7.5 mi Toledo, IL 1,209 pop · 10.3 mi Neoga, IL 1,248 pop · 10.9 mi Greenup, IL 1,678 pop · 13.6 mi Casey, IL 2,258 pop · 18.0 mi Arcola, IL 2,867 pop · 18.4 mi Sullivan, IL 4,253 pop · 21.0 mi Teutopolis, IL 1,693 pop · 22.2 mi Martinsville, IL 1,212 pop · 22.5 mi Arthur, IL 2,024 pop · 22.6 mi Effingham, IL 12,258 pop · 24.9 mi Dieterich, IL 1,171 pop · 25.2 mi Tuscola, IL 4,675 pop · 26.1 mi
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