Nelson, IL Demographics

A map of Nelson's Population by Race

Nelson, Illinois has an estimated population of 125, a slight decrease from the 127 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 95.2% White, 3.2% Hispanic, 1.6% Asian, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Multiracial. This demographic dot map shows the population of Nelson, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Nelson has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Nelson, that probability was 26.5% in 2020 and 9.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Nelson is ranked the 1306th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Nelson was ranked the 1311th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Nelson's White Population

119 residents of Nelson, or 95.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Nelson is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Nelson ranks 1010th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's White population has grown by an estimated 10.2%. White residents' share of Nelson's population has increased from 85.0% to 95.2%.

Nelson is more White than neighboring Harmon (86% White), Sterling (65.2% White), Rock Falls (74.4% White), Dixon (76.4% White), and Galt (64.3% White).

Nelson's Black Population

0 residents of Nelson, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Nelson is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Nelson ranks 674th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Nelson's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.

Nelson is less Black than neighboring Sterling (2.2% Black), Rock Falls (0.4% Black), and Dixon (10.1% Black).

Nelson's Asian Population

2 residents of Nelson, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Nelson is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Nelson ranks 1029th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 2. Asian residents' share of Nelson's population has increased from 0.0% to 1.6%.

Nelson is more Asian than neighboring Harmon (0% Asian), Sterling (1.2% Asian), Rock Falls (0.1% Asian), Dixon (1.4% Asian), and Galt (0% Asian).

Nelson's Hispanic Population

4 residents of Nelson, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Nelson is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Nelson ranks 609th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 20.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Nelson's population has decreased from 3.9% to 3.2%.

Nelson is less Hispanic than neighboring Harmon (10% Hispanic), Sterling (26.8% Hispanic), Rock Falls (21.7% Hispanic), Dixon (9.1% Hispanic), and Galt (35.7% Hispanic).

Nelson's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Nelson, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Nelson is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Nelson ranks 1139th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's Native American/Other population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Native American/Other residents' share of Nelson's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Nelson is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sterling (0.7% Native American/Other), Rock Falls (0.7% Native American/Other), and Dixon (0.1% Native American/Other).

Nelson's Multiracial Population

0 residents of Nelson, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Nelson is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Nelson ranks 20th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Nelson's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Nelson's population has decreased from 10.2% to 0.0%.

Nelson is less Multiracial than neighboring Harmon (4% Multiracial), Sterling (4% Multiracial), Rock Falls (2.7% Multiracial), and Dixon (2.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.