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Nelson, IL

Illinois

Nelson is a small town in Illinois with a population of 114. Residents earn $45,938 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
114 Population 317/sq mi density
$45,938 Median Income $28,121 per capita
$71,300 Home Value
$600 Median Rent 32.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$45,938 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,300 home value, $600/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,938
39% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,300
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.4%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $600
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.4%
24% lower than US avg

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

People

Population114
Median Age54.0 yrs
Density317/mi²
Male / Female31% / 69%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans100.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$45,938
Per Capita$28,121
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$2,978M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,300
Rent$600
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units71
Rent Burden32.3%

Health

Obesity37.4%
Uninsured8.9%
Smoking15.0%
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain40.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation651 ft (198 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.4%
High School+76.3%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute23 min
Broadband51.0%
Libraries6

Is Nelson a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Nelson receives an overall livability score of 3.6 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. Nelson offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Nelson is $45,938, 39% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 9.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Nelson is $71,300, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $600 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches, including 31.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Nelson has a population of 114 with a density of 317 people per square mile. The median age is 54.0 years, 39% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.1%).

Population

114
Total Population
317
People / sq mi
54.0yrs
Median Age
39% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 30.7%
Female 69.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Nelson vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Nelson vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Nelson is $45,938, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Nelson vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,938
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,121
Avg Weekly Wage$1,042
IRS Avg AGI$64,591

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.4%
24% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,185
County GDP$2,978M

Business (County)

Restaurants132
Healthcare107
Retail167
Manufacturing77

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Cost of Living100.00 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.4 min
Drive Alone89.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Nelson is $71,300, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $600 (48% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,300
75% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$600
48% below US avg
Rent Burden32.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.3%
Housing Units71
Median Year Built1950

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,810
37% above US avg
Effective Rate6.75%
In Nelson, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.9% of residents lack health insurance. 15.0% are current smokers. 23.4% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.0%
7% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.7%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep38.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Uninsured8.9%
3% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,975
Dentists1:2,376
Mental Health1:649
Checkup Rate75.2%
Dental Visits63.5%
Premature Death9,513/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities107
Nelson has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.5 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.5 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall31.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation651 ft (198 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density317/sq mi
Coordinates41.7963°N, 89.6075°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS17195
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 13.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.7-point margin. 51.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.4%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 14.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.4%
60% below US avg
High School+76.3%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score5.34
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density317/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access51.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities107
Restaurants132
Retail Stores167

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.4 min
Drive Alone89.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Sterling, IL 14,670 pop · 4.6 mi Rock Falls, IL 8,683 pop · 4.8 mi Dixon, IL 15,166 pop · 7.5 mi Polo, IL 2,495 pop · 13.1 mi Milledgeville, IL 1,199 pop · 14.4 mi Amboy, IL 2,396 pop · 14.8 mi Franklin Grove, IL 1,086 pop · 16.1 mi Walnut, IL 1,402 pop · 16.5 mi Morrison, IL 3,781 pop · 18.3 mi Prophetstown, IL 1,828 pop · 19.0 mi Mount Morris, IL 2,679 pop · 19.7 mi Oregon, IL 3,821 pop · 20.5 mi Forreston, IL 1,148 pop · 22.9 mi Lanark, IL 1,510 pop · 24.1 mi
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