Statehood Comparison
Geography

Illinois vs Nebraska: Statehood

Illinois became a state before Nebraska.

Illinois flag
Illinois
IL • Midwest
Winner
December 3, 1818 (#21)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Nebraska flag
Nebraska
NE • Midwest
March 1, 1867 (#37)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual Comparison

Illinois December 3, 1818 (#21)
Nebraska March 1, 1867 (#37)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.

Illinois #21 · December 3, 1818 (#21)
Nebraska #37 · March 1, 1867 (#37)
Best Worst

10 Best States — Statehood

Lower is better
#1 Delaware flag Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
#2 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787 (#2)
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
December 18, 1787 (#3)
#4 Georgia flag Georgia
January 2, 1788 (#4)
#5 Connecticut flag Connecticut
January 9, 1788 (#5)
#6 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
February 6, 1788 (#6)
#7 Maryland flag Maryland
April 28, 1788 (#7)
#8 South Carolina flag South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)
#9 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
June 21, 1788 (#9)
#10 Virginia flag Virginia
June 25, 1788 (#10)
Selected states
#21 Illinois flag Illinois
December 3, 1818 (#21)
#37 Nebraska flag Nebraska
March 1, 1867 (#37)

Illinois ranks 21st and Nebraska ranks 37th nationally for statehood.

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

Illinois vs Nebraska: Statehood in context

Illinois has a statehood of December 3, 1818 (#21), compared with March 1, 1867 (#37) in Nebraska. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Illinois
December 3, 1818 (#21)
Nebraska
March 1, 1867 (#37)

People Also Ask

Illinois vs Nebraska Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is Illinois's statehood?

Illinois's statehood is December 3, 1818 (#21).

Q What is Nebraska's statehood?

Nebraska's statehood is March 1, 1867 (#37).

Q Which state has a lower statehood — Illinois or Nebraska?

Illinois became a state before Nebraska.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.