Lena, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lena, Illinois had a total population of 2,761, the 440th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $72,663, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.1% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
Lena Quick Facts
How Lena 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 | 2,778 | 2,761 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $76,076 | $72,663 | -4.5% |
| Median home value | $154,000 | $146,000 | -5.2% |
How Lena 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lena Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Stephenson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | 23,505 | $51,723 | 19.6% | $92,100 |
| Orangeville | 1,045 | $69,464 | 10.8% | $152,700 |
| Willow Lake | 764 | $100,568 | 6.4% | $162,200 |
| Pearl City | 745 | $63,295 | 6.6% | $128,200 |
| Cedarville | 690 | $67,569 | 10.9% | $125,700 |
| Dakota | 645 | $55,815 | 14.5% | $115,600 |
| Davis | 535 | $62,050 | 6.9% | $142,700 |
| German Valley | 467 | $73,661 | 6.6% | $130,300 |
| Rock City | 441 | $68,125 | 4.5% | $122,700 |
| Winslow | 338 | $55,156 | 27.8% | $111,800 |
Cities Similar to Lena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakbrook Terrace | 2,723 | $76,905 | $372,400 | 56.6% | 17.3% |
| Richmond | 2,622 | $73,029 | $238,600 | 26.8% | 5.2% |
| Pawnee | 2,738 | $81,103 | $149,500 | 35.0% | 14.2% |
| Fairmont | 2,617 | $70,795 | $182,300 | 17.5% | 15.6% |
| Bushnell | 2,677 | $67,518 | $71,900 | 15.3% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Lena is a small community located in Illinois, within Stephenson County. The total population is 2,761. It ranks as the 440th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lena is 41.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lena is $72,663. This is 13% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.1%. This is 74% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $146,000. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Lena is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lena has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.8% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lena, 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 Lena, Illinois?
Lena, Illinois has a population of 2,761 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lena, IL?
The median household income in Lena is $72,663, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lena, IL?
The poverty rate in Lena is 3.1%. This means approximately 84 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lena, Illinois?
Lena's population is 94.8% White, 0.5% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lena, IL?
The median home value in Lena is $146,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Lena, Illinois?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Lena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.