Lima, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lima, Illinois had a total population of 224, the 1174th largest village in Illinois, with a median household income of $74,375, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
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 4.9% — among the lowest in Illinois.
- Only 5.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 15.2% is notably above the national average.
Lima Quick Facts
How Lima 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 | 231 | 224 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $71,250 | $74,375 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $89,200 | $88,800 | -0.4% |
How Lima 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+)
Lima Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Adams County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | 16.7% | $153,200 |
| Camp Point | 1,230 | $62,188 | 14.9% | $127,800 |
| Mendon | 1,167 | $65,781 | 15.7% | $111,600 |
| Payson | 1,100 | $60,478 | 12.4% | $132,000 |
| Ursa | 726 | $64,375 | 10.7% | $161,900 |
| Golden | 693 | $55,000 | 6.4% | $122,800 |
| Clayton | 602 | $66,136 | 12.7% | $91,500 |
| Liberty | 409 | $78,977 | 6.4% | $137,500 |
| Loraine | 341 | $58,750 | 8.8% | $83,600 |
| Coatsburg | 209 | $63,750 | 6.2% | $81,700 |
Cities Similar to Lima
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% |
| Calhoun | 227 | $76,250 | $53,400 | 0.0% | 5.8% |
| Blairsville | 231 | $73,229 | $181,500 | 14.8% | 5.2% |
| Adair | 215 | N/A | $90,000 | 45.7% | 20.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 224, Lima'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
Lima is a small community located in Illinois, within Adams County. The total population is 224. It ranks as the 1174th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lima is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 37.5% of the population under 18, Lima has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lima is $74,375. This is 11% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 58% 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 15.2%. This is 161% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Lima is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lima 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
5.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 85% 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 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lima, 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 Lima, Illinois?
Lima, Illinois has a population of 224 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lima, IL?
The median household income in Lima is $74,375, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lima, IL?
The poverty rate in Lima is 4.9%. This means approximately 11 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lima, Illinois?
Lima's population is 98.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lima, IL?
The median home value in Lima is $88,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Lima, Illinois?
5.7% of adults (25+) in Lima hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.