St. Elmo, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Elmo, Illinois had a total population of 1,257, the 637th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $45,294, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.2% 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 1.8x.
St. Elmo Quick Facts
How St. Elmo 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 | 1,401 | 1,257 | -10.3% |
| Median household income | $47,115 | $45,294 | -3.9% |
| Median home value | $80,300 | $82,600 | +2.9% |
How St. Elmo 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+)
St. Elmo Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
Cities Similar to St. Elmo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandview | 1,243 | $48,819 | $71,500 | 11.8% | 26.6% |
| Zeigler | 1,267 | $41,553 | $57,300 | 13.2% | 16.2% |
| La Harpe | 1,273 | $49,205 | $86,400 | 25.6% | 12.9% |
| Sheldon | 1,195 | $44,280 | $78,000 | 7.9% | 19.2% |
| Bethany | 1,176 | $44,583 | $106,200 | 22.1% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
St. Elmo is a small community located in Illinois, within Fayette County. The total population is 1,257. It ranks as the 637th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Elmo is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Elmo is $45,294. This is 46% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.8%. This is 136% 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 7.4%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $82,600. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, St. Elmo is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Elmo has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.5% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 84% 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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Elmo, 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 St. Elmo, Illinois?
St. Elmo, Illinois has a population of 1,257 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Elmo, IL?
The median household income in St. Elmo is $45,294, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Elmo, IL?
The poverty rate in St. Elmo is 27.8%. This means approximately 335 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Elmo, Illinois?
St. Elmo's population is 94.5% White, 0.8% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Elmo, IL?
The median home value in St. Elmo is $82,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is St. Elmo, Illinois?
6.2% of adults (25+) in St. Elmo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.