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Community Corner

Census: Lemont Bests State Averages for Home Ownership, Income

Released Thursday, the five-year American Community Survey offers detailed demographic information on communities throughout the U.S.

The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released estimates from its American Community Survey, which provides local statistics for the combined years from 2007 to 2011 on everything from housing to employment to marital status in communities throughout the country.

The numbers look promising for the Village of Lemont, with an estimated median household income of $82,147, compared to the Illinois average of $56,576; and a homeownership rate of 86.8 percent — topping the state average of 68.7 percent.

On the employment front, of the population ages 16 years and older (12,128), about 61.8 percent of those individuals —7,498— are employed. Nearly 3,828, or about 31.6 percent, stated they are not in the labor force, and 802, or 6.6 percent, reported that they are unemployed.

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The five-year estimates are based on interviews with almost two million housing units nationwide from 2007 through 2011. By pooling several years of survey responses, the American Community Survey generates detailed statistical portraits for small areas. The groupings of five-year estimates are released annually.

“By telling the story of our towns and neighborhoods, the American Community Survey helps planners locate schools and firehouses,” said Thomas Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau’s acting director. “Thanks to the cooperation of the public, the Census Bureau produces reliable, quality statistical information for even small communities in the U.S. That’s why it’s so important for households that are selected to participate in the ACS to respond.”

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American Community Survey Data can be found on the Census Bureau's QuickFacts site, and browsers can also use “Easy Stats,” a tool that allows users to build their own tables by selecting a desired topic and geography. Early next year, the Census Bureau will release “Dwellr,” a mobile app designed to put Census Bureau statistics directly in the hands of new users in an engaging way.

Here's what the American Community Survey has to say about Lemont when it comes to home ownership and income:

Lemont State Homeownership rate 86.8% 68.7% Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2007-2011 12.6% 32.9% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2007-2011 $364,600 $198,500 Households, 2007-2011 5,412 4,773,002 Persons per household, 2007-2011 2.82 2.62 Per capita money income in the past 12 months (2011 dollars), 2007-2011 $36,928 $29,376 Median household income, 2007-2011 $82,147 $56,576 Persons below poverty level, percent, 2007-2011 2.4%

13.1%

Some facts on the demographic makeup of the Lemont community:

Lemont State White persons, percent, 2010 (a) 95.9% 71.5% Black persons, percent, 2010 (a) .4% 14.5% American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2010 (a) .1% 0.3% Asian persons, percent, 2010 (a) 1.6% 4.6% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2010 (a) Z* 0.0% Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2010 1.1% 2.3% Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2010 (b) 5.1% 15.8% White persons not Hispanic, percent, 2010 92.0% 63.7%   Living in same house 1 year & over, percent, 2007-2011 90% 86.7% Foreign born persons, percent, 2007-2011 12.4% 13.7% Language other than English spoken at home, percent age 5+, 2007-2011 19.9% 22.0% High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 93.0% 86.6% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 40.5% 30.7% Veterans, 2007-2011 819 770,388 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2007-2011 33.1 28.1

*Z: Value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown

What else do the statistics show?

That data also shows that out of Lemont's estimated 5,412 households, the vast majority — 4,104 — are families. Of that number, 3,686 are married-couple families, and about 1,858 have children under the age of 18. 

The average household size is 2.82 people.

Of the more than 10,415 residents ages 25 and older, statistics for the highest level of education completed are as follows:

  • Less than 9th grade: 327
  • 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 402
  • High school graduate: 2,531
  • Some college, no degree: 2,286
  • Associate's degree: 650
  • Bachelor's degree: 2,362
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1,857

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey

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