1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Clinton County is $850 a month against a median household income of $66,981, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Clinton County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- First look: Clinton County, IA
- Renting and owning in Clinton County
- Employment and commuting in Clinton County
- The $66,981 median and what sits around it
- What stands out in Clinton County
- Counties near Clinton County
- Clinton County towns compared
- Clinton County households compared
- Reading the Clinton County data as a borrower
- What a median Clinton County budget can carry
- A Clinton County borrower's checklist
- Iowa rules that apply in Clinton County
- Beyond Clinton County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Clinton County, IA
Clinton County is home to about 46,268 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 12th most populous of 99 county-level areas in Iowa. Packed into 695 square miles, that is close to 67 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Clinton County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Largest place: Clinton, about 24,322 residents (53% of Clinton County); 14 Census places in all.
Renting and owning in Clinton County
Renters in Clinton County pay a median of $850 a month, 13% below the Iowa figure of $972. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. Home values center on $160,600, or 2.4 years of median income. 75% of Clinton County households own their home and 25% rent. The median home was built in 1957, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Clinton County | Iowa | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $972/mo | 13% lower |
| Median home value | $160,600 | $208,000 | 23% lower |
| Owners | 75% | 72% | +2.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 44% | +3.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | -0.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 10% | 8% | +1.1 pts |
At a $160,600 median value, many Clinton County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Employment and commuting in Clinton County
Top Clinton County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 21%; second, manufacturing, 20%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 20% locally and 15% for Iowa. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 42% of Clinton County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 12% need 45 or more. 7.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Clinton County share | +/- vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.5% | +4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | +1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.8% | -1.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The $66,981 median and what sits around it
Clinton County households have a median income of $66,981 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 74th of 99 in Iowa.
| Band | Clinton County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.2% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -2.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Clinton County households make $100,000 or more, and 25% make less than $35,000. 13.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.445 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Clinton County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
What stands out in Clinton County
The 3 Clinton County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Iowa, and what each means for a borrower:
- On households without a vehicle, Clinton County sits near the top of Iowa at 7.2%, 12th highest of 99. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- Few Iowa counties match Clinton County on population: 46,268 here, 3,210,507 for the state, ranking 12th highest of 99. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Few Iowa counties match Clinton County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 48% here, 44% for the state, ranking 16th highest of 99. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
Counties near Clinton County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clinton County's, from 18 to 34 miles away. Income ranges from $60,758 in Carroll County to $80,602 in Cedar County; 5 of these neighbors top Clinton County's median. The list crosses into Illinois, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County | - | $66,981 | $850/mo | 75% |
| Scott County, IA | 18 mi | $78,277 | $1,005/mo | 70% |
| Jackson County, IA | 19 mi | $74,186 | $807/mo | 81% |
| Rock Island County, IL | 30 mi | $67,159 | $889/mo | 70% |
| Cedar County, IA | 32 mi | $80,602 | $879/mo | 81% |
| Carroll County, IL | 34 mi | $60,758 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Whiteside County, IL | 34 mi | $67,500 | $856/mo | 77% |
Clinton County towns compared
14 Census places fall mainly inside Clinton County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 38,559 residents, leaving about 17% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. DeWitt ($92,587) and Wheatland ($39,167) mark the top and bottom of Clinton County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $763 in Grand Mound to $955 in DeWitt. From Clinton to the smallest crossroads, Clinton County residents share this guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | city | 24,322 | $60,230 | $791 | 15 mi |
| DeWitt | city | 5,546 | $92,587 | $955 | 5 mi |
| Camanche | city | 4,550 | $64,153 | $812 | 15 mi |
| Wheatland | city | 925 | $39,167 | $791 | 16 mi |
| Grand Mound | city | 510 | $82,143 | $763 | 8 mi |
| Delmar | city | 480 | $68,750 | $944 | 8 mi |
| Charlotte | city | 454 | $61,711 | $760 | 6 mi |
| Calamus | city | 417 | $68,250 | $641 | 13 mi |
| Lost Nation | city | 390 | $57,000 | $492 | 15 mi |
| Goose Lake | city | 387 | $76,875 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Low Moor | city | 253 | $52,143 | $850 | 11 mi |
| Andover | city | 124 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Welton | city | 114 | $65,625 | $925 | 3 mi |
| Toronto | city | 87 | $51,786 | n/a | 17 mi |
Clinton County households compared
College graduates make up 22% of the adult population. Uninsured, Clinton County: 5.1%; Iowa: 5.0%.
| Clinton County | vs Iowa | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | +3.8 yrs | +0.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.4% | -9.0 pts | +0.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.7% | -0.1 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | +0.1 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | +1.8 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Work from home | 6.8% | -4.5 pts | -1.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | +2.1 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -0.2 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.2% |
Reading the Clinton County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Clinton County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
What a median Clinton County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Clinton County's medians:
- $5,582 a month: gross income for a household at the Clinton County median
- Less median rent of $850, which is 15% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $2,009 total minus rent leaves $1,159
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,550 left for all other debt payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Clinton County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
A Clinton County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Clinton County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clinton County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Ask a Clinton County credit union about member loans.
Iowa rules that apply in Clinton County
Consumer lenders serving Clinton County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Iowa that is the Iowa Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. State-level detail for Clinton County borrowers is in the Iowa guide.
Beyond Clinton County
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clinton County a high-income county?
Its $66,981 median ranks 74th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What is the median rent in Clinton County, IA?
$850 a month, utilities included, or $10,200 a year.
I live in a small Clinton County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Clinton, DeWitt, Camanche, Wheatland, Grand Mound and 9 more.
Does living in Clinton 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 Clinton County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Clinton County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Iowa it is the Iowa Division of Banking.