Serena, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Serena, Illinois had a total population of 182, the 1227th largest community in Illinois. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 17.1% is notably above the national average.
Serena Quick Facts
How Serena 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 | 195 | 182 | -6.7% |
How Serena 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+)
Serena Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in LaSalle County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | 18,447 | $71,413 | 17.3% | $154,000 |
| Streator | 12,330 | $57,609 | 20.3% | $94,700 |
| Peru | 9,775 | $74,808 | 9.0% | $154,300 |
| LaSalle | 9,498 | $57,732 | 18.8% | $113,500 |
| Mendota | 6,994 | $51,632 | 14.1% | $134,100 |
| Lake Holiday | 5,641 | $107,875 | 2.9% | $256,400 |
| Marseilles | 4,279 | $58,217 | 21.5% | $142,500 |
| Oglesby | 3,570 | $76,189 | 9.6% | $139,700 |
| Sheridan | 2,519 | $85,250 | 10.9% | $186,400 |
| Seneca | 2,450 | $86,830 | 22.2% | $227,500 |
Cities Similar to Serena
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester | 182 | $127,500 | $153,800 | 10.4% | 0.5% |
| Hooppole | 182 | $44,261 | $75,000 | 7.0% | 44.6% |
| Kingston Mines | 182 | $51,875 | $75,000 | 6.6% | 18.1% |
| Standard City | 182 | $49,333 | $70,000 | 0.9% | 6.4% |
| Indianola | 183 | $44,659 | $81,700 | 2.7% | 24.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 182, Serena'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
Serena is a small community located in Illinois, within LaSalle County. The total population is 182. It ranks as the 1227th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Serena is 16.5 years. This is 58% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 54.4% of the population under 18, Serena has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 95% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 17.1%. This is 193% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. 21.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 68% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Serena is Hispanic or Latino, making up 65.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 58.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (65.4% vs 18.8%).
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 42.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Serena, 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 Serena, Illinois?
Serena, Illinois has a population of 182 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Serena, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Serena — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Serena, IL?
The poverty rate in Serena is 23.1%. This means approximately 42 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Serena, Illinois?
Serena's population is 7.7% White, 0.0% Black, 65.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Serena, IL?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Serena — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Serena, Illinois?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Serena hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.