1st Advantage MortgageIn Douglas County, Illinois, the typical household earns $77,320 a year and the typical rent is $848. 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
- Getting oriented in Douglas County
- Jobs and commutes in Douglas County
- Paychecks and income spread in Douglas County
- Renting and owning in Douglas County
- Places inside Douglas County
- Counties near Douglas County
- People and households in Douglas County
- Local borrowing considerations for Douglas County
- Room for a loan payment in Douglas County
- Illinois rules that apply in Douglas County
- A Douglas County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Douglas County
Douglas County is home to about 19,751 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 58th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. It covers 417 square miles of land, or about 47 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Douglas County is not part of any metropolitan area. Tuscola is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 4,808 people (24% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Douglas County
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed Douglas County residents work in education and health care and 24% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 24% locally and 11% for Illinois. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 10.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Douglas County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 24.3% | +12.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 5.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.3% | +4.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.3% | -2.9 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Paychecks and income spread in Douglas County
At $77,320, the typical Douglas County household income is 18% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 22nd of 102.
| Income band | Share in Douglas County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.2% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.6% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.9% | -6.9 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 35% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 8.5%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.403 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Douglas County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $848 in Douglas County versus $1,274 statewide. By the Census definition, 33% of Douglas County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $150,400, or 1.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Median construction year: 1967.
| Douglas County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $848/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,400 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Douglas 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.
Places inside Douglas County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Douglas County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 12,987 people, so roughly 34% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $62,383 in Atwood to $89,827 in Arcola. Rent is cheapest in Newman ($775) and steepest in Tuscola ($901). No Douglas County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscola | city | 4,808 | $78,179 | $901 | 3 mi |
| Arcola | city | 2,892 | $89,827 | $803 | 7 mi |
| Villa Grove | city | 2,349 | $70,647 | $878 | 8 mi |
| Atwood | village | 1,144 | $62,383 | $856 | 13 mi |
| Newman | city | 882 | $75,373 | $775 | 13 mi |
| Camargo | village | 456 | $68,333 | $537 | 4 mi |
| Hindsboro | village | 368 | $50,938 | $914 | 7 mi |
| Garrett | village | 88 | $70,294 | $825 | 11 mi |
Counties near Douglas County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $56,478 in Coles County to $94,811 in Piatt County; 1 of these neighbors top Douglas County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | - | $77,320 | $848/mo | 77% |
| Coles County, IL | 17 mi | $56,478 | $780/mo | 60% |
| Moultrie County, IL | 23 mi | $71,784 | $804/mo | 76% |
| Piatt County, IL | 26 mi | $94,811 | $1,046/mo | 85% |
| Champaign County, IL | 26 mi | $63,683 | $1,051/mo | 54% |
| Edgar County, IL | 26 mi | $59,941 | $775/mo | 73% |
| Cumberland County, IL | 34 mi | $73,327 | $772/mo | 84% |
People and households in Douglas County
21% of Douglas County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Douglas County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.5% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.4% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.8% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Douglas County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 3.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Douglas County
What the Douglas County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 15% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Room for a loan payment in Douglas County
Here is the Douglas County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $6,443 a month: gross income for a household at the Douglas County median
- Less median rent of $848, which is 13% of it
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,923 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Illinois rules that apply in Douglas County
Consumer lenders serving Douglas County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Illinois guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Douglas County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Douglas County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Douglas County a high-income county?
Its $77,320 median ranks 22nd of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Douglas County rent compare with Illinois?
$848 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 33% below.
Should Douglas County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Douglas County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Tuscola?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Douglas County, such as Arcola, Villa Grove, Atwood.
Does living in Douglas 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 Douglas County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.