1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Christian County is $785 a month against a median household income of $62,611, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Christian County
- Christian County against other Illinois counties
- Where Christian County works
- The Christian County housing market in figures
- Household income in Christian County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Christian County
- Regional comparison for Christian County
- $5,218 a month: the Christian County median budget
- Reading the Christian County data as a borrower
- Christian County households compared
- Illinois lender licensing
- A Christian County borrower's checklist
- Beyond Christian County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Christian County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Christian County's population at 33,538; only 42 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 709 square miles, that works out to roughly 47.3 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Taylorville is the biggest of its 15 Census places, at roughly 10,646 people (32% of the county total).
Christian County against other Illinois counties
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Christian County sits near the bottom of Illinois at 17%, 17th lowest of 102. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- Few Illinois counties match Christian County on the uninsured rate: 3.9% here, 6.9% for the state, ranking 21st lowest of 102. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
Where Christian County works
Top Christian County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 25%; second, retail trade, 11%. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 10% locally and 4% for Illinois. 4.6% of Christian County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 39% of Christian County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 13% need 45 or more. 6.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Christian County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | +1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.5% | -1.0 pts |
| Public administration | 9.7% | +5.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Christian County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The Christian County housing market in figures
Renters in Christian County pay a median of $785 a month, 38% below the Illinois figure of $1,274. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Median value $115,500; median income $62,611; ratio 1.8. The ownership rate is 75%. Against the median U.S. county, Christian County rent is 10% below.
| Cost | Christian County | Illinois figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 48% | -12.0 pts |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | +8.1 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | -5.7 pts |
| Median home value | $115,500 | $263,300 | 56% lower |
| Median gross rent | $785/mo | $1,274/mo | 38% lower |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% | 2.3% | +2.0 pts |
Because most Christian 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.
Household income in Christian County
Half of Christian County households take in less than $62,611 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
| Income band | Share in Christian County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.2% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +7.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.8% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -8.4 pts |
On the low end, 27% of Christian County households report under $35,000; at the top, 28% report $100,000-plus. Poverty rate, Christian County: 10.2%; Illinois: 11.8%. Gini index for Christian County: 0.444. None of these numbers decides a Christian County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Christian County
15 Census places fall mainly inside Christian County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 25,476 residents, leaving about 24% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $43,718, Edinburg over Pana. Median rent ranges from $684 in Pana to $900 in Stonington. Taylorville and every other Christian County community use this county guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorville | city | 10,646 | $57,552 | $828 | 2 mi |
| Pana | city | 5,217 | $46,168 | $684 | 14 mi |
| Moweaqua | village | 1,915 | $69,625 | $896 | 15 mi |
| Kincaid | village | 1,278 | $64,821 | $725 | 8 mi |
| Assumption | city | 1,205 | $57,500 | $693 | 13 mi |
| Edinburg | village | 1,195 | $89,886 | $829 | 10 mi |
| Morrisonville | village | 926 | $71,597 | $796 | 13 mi |
| Stonington | village | 655 | $65,972 | $900 | 8 mi |
| Tovey | village | 629 | $89,000 | $808 | 9 mi |
| Owaneco | village | 613 | $65,313 | $815 | 6 mi |
| Mount Auburn | village | 399 | $43,333 | $1,175 | 15 mi |
| Langleyville | CDP | 282 | $47,969 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Palmer | village | 241 | $49,500 | $740 | 9 mi |
| Bulpitt | village | 185 | $75,000 | $825 | 8 mi |
Regional comparison for Christian County
Six nearby counties, 24 to 40 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $62,666 in Macon County to $75,357 in Sangamon County; all six of these neighbors top Christian County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian County | - | $62,611 | $785/mo | 75% |
| Montgomery County, IL | 24 mi | $63,620 | $723/mo | 77% |
| Sangamon County, IL | 25 mi | $75,357 | $983/mo | 71% |
| Macon County, IL | 28 mi | $62,666 | $847/mo | 70% |
| Shelby County, IL | 28 mi | $72,095 | $814/mo | 78% |
| Moultrie County, IL | 35 mi | $71,784 | $804/mo | 76% |
| Macoupin County, IL | 40 mi | $70,805 | $801/mo | 78% |
$5,218 a month: the Christian County median budget
Christian County's $62,611 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,218 before taxes
- Median rent: $785, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,093 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $62,611 median has less room than this, often none.
Reading the Christian County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Christian County borrowers.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Christian County borrower sees (free reports).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Christian County households compared
In Christian County, 17% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Uninsured, Christian County: 3.9%; Illinois: 6.9%.
| People and households | Christian County | Compared with Illinois | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | +4.2 yrs | +1.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.1% | -20.7 pts | -5.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | -0.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -2.9 pts | -3.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | -4.9 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 7.1% | -8.7 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | -1.6 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | -1.3 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Commute length | Christian County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Illinois lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Christian County borrowers answers to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. State-level detail for Christian County borrowers is in the Illinois guide.
A Christian County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Christian County residents:
- Price the Christian County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Beyond Christian County
Next step up from Christian County:
Frequently asked questions
Is $62,611 a good income in Christian County?
It is the county median, so half of Christian County households earn more and half less; 28% earn $100,000 or more.
Can a Christian County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $785 median rent and $5,218 median monthly income, rent alone uses 15%; add other debts before a new payment.
I live near Taylorville. Which guide is mine?
This one. Taylorville and the rest of Christian County have no separate city guide.
Does living in Christian County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Christian County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Christian County?
Start with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.