According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, an Nabi Ilyas had a population of 1,399 inhabitants in 2017.

Cisterns, and graves cut into rock have been found here, together with ceramics from the Byzantine era.

It was noted as hali, empty, but a fixed tax rate of 33,3% was paid on agricultural products; a total of 1,200 akçe.

[7] In 1882 the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine described Neby Elyas (under "Archæology") as: "Walls and wells, with a ruined kubbeh.

Jewish shoppers, who were kept out of the main Palestinian cities by Israeli security regulations, were drawn by the cheap prices for groceries, furniture and dental treatment that are on offer in Nabi Ilyas.