Lerna, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lerna, Illinois had a total population of 226, the 1170th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $67,679, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.6%.
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 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.0% is notably above the national average.
Lerna Quick Facts
How Lerna 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 | 220 | 226 | +2.7% |
| Median household income | $48,750 | $67,679 | +38.8% |
| Median home value | $80,800 | $94,400 | +16.8% |
How Lerna 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+)
Lerna Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Coles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 17,062 | $49,300 | 26.3% | $137,400 |
| Mattoon | 16,586 | $51,597 | 21.3% | $97,700 |
| Oakland | 862 | $50,848 | 12.0% | $98,100 |
| Ashmore | 721 | $56,615 | 16.2% | $91,700 |
| Humboldt | 329 | $59,063 | 11.6% | $81,500 |
| Trilla | 122 | $123,125 | 0.0% | $95,800 |
| Janesville | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lerna
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colp | 223 | N/A | $69,300 | 18.9% | 47.1% |
| Ridgefield | 221 | N/A | $254,200 | 76.3% | 0.0% |
| East Carondelet | 233 | $67,500 | $58,600 | 10.1% | 11.2% |
| New Minden | 218 | $66,875 | $95,000 | 11.3% | 8.5% |
| Adair | 215 | N/A | $90,000 | 45.7% | 20.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 226, Lerna'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
Lerna is a small community located in Illinois, within Coles County. The total population is 226. It ranks as the 1170th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lerna is 31.4 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.4% 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 Lerna is $67,679. This is 19% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.0%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $94,400. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Lerna is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lerna has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.7% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (98.7% vs 58.1%).
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lerna, 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 Lerna, Illinois?
Lerna, Illinois has a population of 226 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lerna, IL?
The median household income in Lerna is $67,679, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lerna, IL?
The poverty rate in Lerna is 14.6%. This means approximately 32 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lerna, Illinois?
Lerna's population is 98.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lerna, IL?
The median home value in Lerna is $94,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Lerna, Illinois?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Lerna hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.