Lena is a small town of 2,811 in Illinois, with a median household income of $65,607
and a 3.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lena stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Lena is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lena city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 91.1
Lena's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lena costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lena, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$146,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$608
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
79.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$65,607
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lena's violent crime rate is 186.5 per 100,000 residents
— 51% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
186.5 /100k
Property Crime
723.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lena is served primarily by Lena Winslow CUSD 202.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lena, IL
National Avg
School District
Lena Winslow CUSD 202
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lena sees average highs of 27.8°F in January
and 81.7°F in July,
with 38.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 35.7 inches of snow per year.
Lena's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lena roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $146,400 and median rent is $608/month.
Lena's violent crime rate is 186.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 723.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lena are operated by Lena Winslow CUSD 202.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1. 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lena, IL has a population of 2,811, a median household income of $65,607, and an unemployment rate of 3.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Lena averages 27.8°F in January and 81.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.2 inches
with about 35.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Lena, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 61048.
The population of Lena, Illinois is 2,811 with a median age of 40.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lena: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $146,400, median household income $65,607, crime index 43 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lena side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
