St. Elmo, IL

Illinois

St. Elmo is a small town in Illinois with a population of 1,401. Residents earn $47,115 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,401 Population 947/sq mi density
$47,115 Median Income $23,540 per capita
$80,300 Home Value
$759 Median Rent 27.8% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature
212 Violent Crime/100K 1,059 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$47,115 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,300 home value, $759/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
212 violent crimes/100K (44% below avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,115
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,300
72% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 212/100K
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.2%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $759
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.6%
26% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,401
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density947/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans4.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,115
Per Capita$23,540
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty15.6%
County GDP$3,084M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,300
Rent$759
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden27.8%

Crime

F
Violent212/100K
Property1,059/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault141/100K
Burglary141/100K

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain44.0 in/yr
Elevation613 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.2%
High School+84.3%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 19%
Commute23 min
Broadband79.4%
Libraries3

Is St. Elmo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, St. Elmo receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. St. Elmo has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in St. Elmo is $47,115, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. The poverty rate of 15.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in St. Elmo is $80,300, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $759 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.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in St. Elmo is below the national average at 212 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,059 per 100,000, 46% below the national average.

Education

8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

St. Elmo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.0 inches, including 14.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

St. Elmo has a population of 1,401 with a density of 947 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.9%).

Population

1,401
Total Population
947
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.3%
Female 51.7%

Race & Ethnicity

St. Elmo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.9%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.1%
92% below US avg

Social Characteristics

St. Elmo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in St. Elmo is $47,115, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: St. Elmo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,115
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,540
Avg Weekly Wage$1,020
IRS Avg AGI$85,897

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.6%
26% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,237
County GDP$3,084M

Business (County)

Restaurants125
Healthcare159
Retail195
Manufacturing62

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,557
87% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Drive Alone83.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.5%

Walkability

The median home value in St. Elmo is $80,300, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $759 (35% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,300
72% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$759
35% below US avg
Rent Burden27.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,557
87% above US avg
Effective Rate8.17%
In St. Elmo, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 26.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: St. Elmo vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.7%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity26.4%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress14.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.8%
Checkup Rate74.8%
Premature Death6,573/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access58.8%
Healthcare Facilities159
St. Elmo has a violent crime rate of 212 per 100,000 residents, 44% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,059 per 100,000 (46% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: St. Elmo vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent211.9/100K
44% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape70.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault141.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,059.3/100K
46% below US avg
Burglary141.2/100K
Theft847.5/100K
Vehicle Theft70.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
St. Elmo has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.4°F
1% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.0 inches
16% above US avg
Snowfall14.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation613 ft (187 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density947/sq mi
Coordinates39.0218°N, 88.8514°W
County FIPS17049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.4-point margin. 79.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.3%
D 19%

Winner: Republican by 60.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.2%
76% below US avg
High School+84.3%
School Test Score5.34
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density947/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.4%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities159
Restaurants125
Retail Stores195

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Drive Alone83.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.5%

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