City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Lincoln, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Lincoln - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

13,406
Residents
$54,390
Median income
$111,600
Median home
$988
Median rent (state)

Lincoln - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lincoln places in the 26th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
56th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Lincoln, IL

13,406 people live in Lincoln, Illinois - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $54,390 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.1%. Home values in Lincoln run a median of $111,600, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. 18.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 58.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Lincoln reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1183.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 52.2°F with 39.8 inches of precipitation per year and 19.3 inches of snowfall.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Illinois at 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $988 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 58.1 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

13,406 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$54,390 /yr

Poverty 15.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Lincoln compare to other US cities?

Here's how Lincoln stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Illinois and the picture shifts: Lincoln ranks #273 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Lincoln's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

26thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lincoln's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lincoln's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 55 Avg. percentile National median
Lincoln's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Lincoln's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$111,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Lincoln $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Lincoln, IL Lincoln, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lincoln, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Lincoln, IL median $54,390/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Lincoln, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Lincoln, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
13,406
Median Income
$54,390
Median Home Value
$111,600
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor force participation
58.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1183.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
169.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1014.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
39.8"
Annual Snowfall
19.3"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,900 residents13,000 residents13,100 residents13,200 residents13,300 residents13,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,247 residents 12,981 residents ▼ -2.0%
Lincoln's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 3
2020 5
2021 3
2022 1
2023 4
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.7%
Carpool
11.7%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
3.8%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
1.1%

Based on 6,477 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Lincoln sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$988/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
58.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Canton
13,408 people
Western Springs
13,353 people
Hazel Crest
13,493 people
Glen Carbon
13,521 people
La Grange Park
13,227 people
Lincolnwood
13,179 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lincoln's 13,406 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rogers, MN
13,405 people
Brock Hall, MD
13,400 people
Joppatowne, MD
13,397 people
Andrews, TX
13,416 people
Jupiter Farms, FL
13,394 people
Lexington Park, MD
13,419 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lincoln's $54,390 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Beechmont, KY
$54,400 median income
Slaton, TX
$54,380 median income
Coudersport, PA
$54,402 median income
Tenakee Springs, AK
$54,375 median income
San Lucas, CA
$54,375 median income
Chattahoochee, FL
$54,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lincoln, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Lincoln, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.4% White 89.6% Black or African American 4.8% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 4.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Lincoln compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Lincoln (this city) 13,406 $54,390
Canton 13,408 $54,881
Western Springs 13,353 $218,839
Hazel Crest 13,493 $62,773
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lincoln, IL?

What is the population of Lincoln, IL? +

The population of Lincoln, IL stands at 13,406 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lincoln, IL? +

In Lincoln, the typical household earns $54,390 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lincoln? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lincoln; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Lincoln, IL safe? +

Lincoln has a total crime rate of 1183.3 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Lincoln, IL? +

Homes in Lincoln carry a median value of $111,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lincoln? +

The average annual temperature in Lincoln runs 52.2°F, 39.8 inches of precipitation, and 19.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.