Lee, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lee, Illinois had a total population of 320, the 1062nd largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $82,000, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Lee Quick Facts
How Lee Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 332 | 320 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $76,250 | $82,000 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $155,200 | $150,500 | -3.0% |
How Lee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lee Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon | 14,910 | $59,406 | 17.8% | $120,800 |
| Amboy | 2,384 | $68,258 | 13.3% | $134,800 |
| Franklin Grove | 988 | $58,618 | 12.8% | $124,400 |
| Ashton | 935 | $62,778 | 14.5% | $114,200 |
| Paw Paw | 932 | $65,156 | 8.3% | $153,900 |
| Sublette | 454 | $66,250 | 19.8% | $138,300 |
| Steward | 271 | $102,500 | 2.6% | $148,000 |
| Compton | 259 | $57,500 | 6.6% | $80,800 |
| West Brooklyn | 152 | $76,250 | 3.3% | $85,000 |
| Nelson | 125 | $39,250 | 21.6% | $86,300 |
Cities Similar to Lee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellflower | 328 | $82,500 | $122,000 | 17.3% | 6.4% |
| Arrowsmith | 320 | $88,594 | $103,500 | 26.2% | 31.6% |
| Medora | 316 | $76,750 | $93,800 | 15.4% | 9.8% |
| Royal Lakes | 301 | N/A | $54,300 | 3.3% | 24.3% |
| Buckingham | 308 | $85,938 | $129,200 | 10.5% | 2.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 320, Lee's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Lee is a small community located in Illinois, within Lee County. The total population is 320. It ranks as the 1062nd most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lee is 40.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lee is $82,000. This is 2% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 90% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $150,500. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Lee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lee is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 13.3%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lee, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lee, Illinois?
Lee, Illinois has a population of 320 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lee, IL?
The median household income in Lee is $82,000, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lee, IL?
The poverty rate in Lee is 19.2%. This means approximately 61 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lee, Illinois?
Lee's population is 75.9% White, 5.9% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lee, IL?
The median home value in Lee is $150,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Lee, Illinois?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Lee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.