1st Advantage MortgageIn Calhoun County, Illinois, the typical household earns $93,203 a year and the typical rent is $583. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Calhoun County by the numbers
- How much Calhoun County households make
- Employment and commuting in Calhoun County
- Calhoun County housing compared with Illinois
- Towns and communities in Calhoun County
- Calhoun County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Calhoun County's medians
- People and households in Calhoun County
- Borrowing situations common in Calhoun County
- A Calhoun County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Calhoun County
- More guides for Calhoun County
- Frequently asked questions
Calhoun County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Calhoun County's population at 4,330; only 99 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 254 square miles, that works out to roughly 17.1 residents per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Hardin is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 663 people (15% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Calhoun County figure on this page as a rough guide.
How much Calhoun County households make
Half of Calhoun County households take in less than $93,203 a year and half take in more, 12% above the Illinois median of $83,390. That places it 9th among Illinois's 102 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Calhoun County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.0% | -5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.0% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.7% | -2.1 pts |
About 15% of households earn under $35,000, while 46% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 6.3%, 6 points lower than the state's 11.8%. None of these numbers decides a Calhoun County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Calhoun County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 11%. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (11% against 1%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.2% in Calhoun County. About 75% drive to work alone and 50% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Calhoun County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 10.9% | +9.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.8% | +3.4 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Calhoun County housing compared with Illinois
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $583 in Calhoun County versus $1,274 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 28% of renter households here. With a median value of $190,900, a typical Calhoun County house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 89%. Median construction year: 1968.
| Housing | Calhoun County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $583/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $190,900 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 89% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.6% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 46% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Calhoun County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Towns and communities in Calhoun County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 33% of Calhoun County residents live in one of the 5. Live in one of these Calhoun County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin | village | 663 | $88,875 | $476 | 2 mi |
| Kampsville | village | 264 | $61,875 | $594 | 10 mi |
| Batchtown | village | 237 | $57,500 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Brussels | village | 214 | $55,875 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Hamburg | village | 68 | $47,000 | n/a | 5 mi |
Calhoun County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 34 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Calhoun County; St. Charles County is highest at $104,692 and Pike County lowest at $54,989. Some neighbors are in Missouri. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Calhoun County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | - | $93,203 | $583/mo | 89% |
| Jersey County, IL | 17 mi | $80,361 | $846/mo | 81% |
| Lincoln County, MO | 17 mi | $89,278 | $961/mo | 79% |
| Greene County, IL | 20 mi | $62,192 | $754/mo | 78% |
| St. Charles County, MO | 26 mi | $104,692 | $1,370/mo | 81% |
| Pike County, MO | 30 mi | $54,989 | $778/mo | 73% |
| Pike County, IL | 34 mi | $59,777 | $676/mo | 78% |
Debt-to-income at Calhoun County's medians
Here is the Calhoun County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Calhoun County: $7,767
- Housing at the median rent of $583 uses 8%
- Under a 35% cap, $2,718 total minus rent leaves $2,135
- With a 45% ceiling, about $2,912 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Calhoun County's.
People and households in Calhoun County
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 2.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Calhoun County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.1% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.7% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 2.4% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.1% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Calhoun County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.4% |
| 60+ min | 38.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Calhoun County
Where the Calhoun County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 50% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Calhoun County budgets.
- Older households. A 48.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 46% of Calhoun County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
A Calhoun County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Calhoun County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Calhoun County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Calhoun County, check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
More guides for Calhoun County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Calhoun County?
$93,203 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $83,390 for Illinois. It ranks 9th of 102 in the state.
How does Calhoun County rent compare with Illinois?
$583 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 54% below.
I own my home in Calhoun County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 89% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Hardin?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Calhoun County, such as Kampsville, Batchtown, Brussels.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Calhoun County or elsewhere in Illinois, the same rules apply.