1st Advantage MortgageEffingham County households have a median income of $80,404 and median rent of $733 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Effingham County by the numbers
- What Effingham County households earn
- How Effingham County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Effingham County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Effingham County
- Budget math at the Effingham County median
- Before borrowing in Effingham County
- People and households in Effingham County
- Checklist for Effingham County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Effingham County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Effingham County by the numbers
With an estimated 34,522 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Effingham County ranks 41st of 102 in Illinois for population. Land area is 479 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 72 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Effingham County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Effingham is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 12,342 people (36% of the county total).
What Effingham County households earn
The median household income in Effingham County is $80,404; statewide it is $83,390, so Effingham County runs 4% below Illinois as a whole. In the state ranking that is 17th of 102.
| Yearly household income | Effingham County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.2% | -1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.8% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -5.4 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 38% clear $100,000. Census counts 10.1% of Effingham County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.423 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Effingham County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Effingham County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 4% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.1% in Effingham County. About 79% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Effingham County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.3% | +1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Effingham County
A typical Effingham County rental runs $733 a month including utilities, which is 42% below Illinois. By the Census definition, 33% of Effingham County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,500, about 2.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Measure | Effingham County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $733/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,500 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.2% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Effingham 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Effingham County's, from 22 to 33 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Effingham County; Jasper County is highest at $74,755 and Clay County lowest at $60,417.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effingham County | - | $80,404 | $733/mo | 78% |
| Clay County, IL | 22 mi | $60,417 | $735/mo | 79% |
| Fayette County, IL | 23 mi | $60,944 | $798/mo | 81% |
| Jasper County, IL | 24 mi | $74,755 | $793/mo | 85% |
| Cumberland County, IL | 24 mi | $73,327 | $772/mo | 84% |
| Shelby County, IL | 26 mi | $72,095 | $814/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, IL | 33 mi | $61,240 | $794/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Effingham County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Effingham County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 19,634 residents, leaving about 43% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $115,938 at the median in Teutopolis, $72,377 in Effingham. Rent is cheapest in Teutopolis ($670) and steepest in Altamont ($791). Live in one of these Effingham County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effingham | city | 12,342 | $72,377 | $725 | 6 mi |
| Altamont | city | 2,282 | $75,510 | $791 | 8 mi |
| Teutopolis | village | 1,729 | $115,938 | $670 | 8 mi |
| Dieterich | village | 1,169 | $74,500 | $692 | 11 mi |
| Watson | village | 620 | $74,167 | $742 | 2 mi |
| Mason | town | 467 | $65,455 | $911 | 7 mi |
| Beecher City | village | 414 | $43,750 | $596 | 14 mi |
| Edgewood | village | 351 | $47,604 | $591 | 10 mi |
| Shumway | village | 260 | $82,159 | $817 | 10 mi |
Budget math at the Effingham County median
How much room does a median Effingham County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $6,700 a month: gross income for a household at the Effingham County median
- Rent at the median, $733, takes 11% of that
- $1,679: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $2,148: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Effingham County
A few patterns in the Effingham County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Effingham County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
People and households in Effingham County
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.3%, against 6.9% for Illinois.
| Measure | Effingham County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.9% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.0% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.8% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.1% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Checklist for Effingham County applicants
A short checklist for Effingham County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Effingham County residents
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Illinois state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Effingham County earn?
The median is $80,404; 38% earn $100,000 or more and 19% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Effingham County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $733 a month; 33% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Effingham County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Effingham?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Effingham County, such as Altamont, Teutopolis, Dieterich.
Can Effingham County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Illinois county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.