1st Advantage MortgageIn Clinton County, Illinois, the typical household earns $86,588 a year and the typical rent is $912. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Illinois before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Clinton County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Clinton County
- Clinton County's most unusual numbers
- How Clinton County residents earn a living
- Income in Clinton County compared with Illinois
- The communities that make up Clinton County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Room for a loan payment in Clinton County
- People and households in Clinton County
- Reading the Clinton County data as a borrower
- Illinois rules that apply in Clinton County
- Checklist for Clinton County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Clinton County
Clinton County is home to about 36,954 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 37th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. Land area is 474 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 78 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (13 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Breese, with about 4,301 residents, or 12% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Clinton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $912 in Clinton County versus $1,274 statewide. 37% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Median value $192,400; median income $86,588; ratio 2.2. 80% of Clinton County households own their home and 20% rent. Nationally, Clinton County's $912 rent is 4% above the middle county.
| Clinton County | Illinois | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 80% | 67% | +13.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 48% | -11.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 27% | -9.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 8.7% | 2.3% | +6.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $912/mo | $1,274/mo | 28% lower |
| Median home value | $192,400 | $263,300 | 27% lower |
| Vacant units | 8% | 8% | -0.1 pts |
Clinton County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Clinton County's most unusual numbers
Ranked against the other 101 county-level areas in Illinois, these are the Clinton County figures furthest from the middle.
- Clinton County ranks 7th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for households without a vehicle: 3.2%, against 11.0% statewide. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- Clinton County ranks 10th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for the poverty rate: 7.4%, against 11.8% statewide. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
- Clinton County ranks 12th highest of 102 Illinois counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 43%, against 42% statewide. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
How Clinton County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 10%. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward construction (10% against 5%). 3.4% of Clinton County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 76% drive to work alone and 20% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.2% of the total (11.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Clinton County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.3% | +1.7 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +4.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.1% | -2.4 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.5% | -5.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Clinton County compared with Illinois
$86,588 is the median household income for Clinton County, set against $83,390 for Illinois. Only 11 Illinois counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Clinton County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.0% | -3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.4% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.6% | +5.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.0% | -4.8 pts |
17% under $35,000 and 43% at $100,000 or more: that is the Clinton County income split. The poverty rate is 7.4%, 4 points lower than the state's 11.8%. Clinton County scores 0.428 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The communities that make up Clinton County
The table lists the 13 largest of 13 Census places in Clinton County, by population. Together all 13 hold about 19,251 people, so roughly 48% of residents live outside any named place. Aviston ($117,875) and Keyesport ($46,500) mark the top and bottom of Clinton County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Bartelso ($593) and steepest in Albers ($988). Breese and every other Clinton County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breese | city | 4,301 | $85,222 | $784 | 5 mi |
| Carlyle | city | 2,980 | $77,273 | $983 | 3 mi |
| Trenton | city | 2,664 | $80,795 | $857 | 14 mi |
| Aviston | village | 2,387 | $117,875 | $963 | 10 mi |
| Germantown | village | 1,350 | $92,083 | $913 | 7 mi |
| Albers | village | 1,280 | $109,583 | $988 | 11 mi |
| Beckemeyer | village | 993 | $63,603 | $961 | 0 mi |
| Bartelso | village | 782 | $90,000 | $593 | 5 mi |
| Keyesport | village | 635 | $46,500 | $622 | 13 mi |
| Hoffman | village | 607 | $66,667 | $675 | 10 mi |
| St. Rose | village | 593 | $115,000 | $979 | 9 mi |
| Damiansville | village | 570 | $105,000 | $960 | 12 mi |
| Huey | village | 109 | $43,500 | n/a | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Clinton County's, from 17 to 34 miles away. Income ranges from $61,240 in Marion County to $78,224 in Washington County; none of these neighbors top Clinton County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton County | - | $86,588 | $912/mo | 80% |
| Washington County, IL | 17 mi | $78,224 | $818/mo | 84% |
| Bond County, IL | 19 mi | $65,959 | $785/mo | 77% |
| Marion County, IL | 27 mi | $61,240 | $794/mo | 75% |
| St. Clair County, IL | 29 mi | $73,854 | $1,090/mo | 68% |
| Madison County, IL | 30 mi | $75,793 | $1,024/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, IL | 34 mi | $63,118 | $885/mo | 72% |
Room for a loan payment in Clinton County
Here is the Clinton County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,216 before taxes
- 13% goes to median rent ($912)
- $1,686: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $2,191: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Clinton County
In Clinton County, 26% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Health coverage gaps: 4.8% of Clinton County residents are uninsured.
| Measure | Clinton County | Gap to Illinois | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | -12.0 pts | +3.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | -7.8 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.4% | -4.4 pts | -5.8 pts |
| Work from home | 12.6% | -3.3 pts | +3.9 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +2.5 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -2.4 pts | -1.0 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -2.0 pts | -3.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | -1.8 pts | n/a |
| Minutes to work | Clinton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Reading the Clinton County data as a borrower
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Clinton County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Higher earners. 43% of households clear $100,000; shop at least three lenders and pick the shortest term.
- Consolidating cards in Clinton County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Illinois rules that apply in Clinton County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Clinton County borrowers answers to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB.
Checklist for Clinton County applicants
A short checklist for Clinton County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Clinton County earn?
The median is $86,588; 43% earn $100,000 or more and 17% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Clinton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $912 a month; 37% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Clinton County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Clinton County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Is Huey covered?
Yes. Huey is one of 13 Census places in Clinton County, and this guide covers all of them.
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.