1st Advantage MortgageIn Fayette County, Illinois, the typical household earns $60,944 a year and the typical rent is $798. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Illinois license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Fayette County
- Income in Fayette County compared with Illinois
- Renting and owning in Fayette County
- Work, industries and travel time in Fayette County
- Counties near Fayette County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Fayette County
- A Fayette County household budget, worked through
- More Fayette County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Fayette County
- Steps before you apply in Fayette County
- Licensing and complaints for Fayette County
- More guides for Fayette County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Fayette County
Fayette County is home to about 21,315 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 54th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. Spread over 716 square miles, that works out to roughly 29.8 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 7 Census places inside Fayette County, Vandalia leads by population with about 5,796; 6 of the 7 are incorporated.
Income in Fayette County compared with Illinois
The median household income in Fayette County is $60,944; statewide it is $83,390, so Fayette County runs 27% below Illinois as a whole. That places it 79th among Illinois's 102 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Fayette County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.7% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.9% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -9.2 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.5% of Fayette County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.449 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Fayette County median.
Renting and owning in Fayette County
A typical Fayette County rental runs $798 a month including utilities, which is 37% below Illinois. By the Census definition, 52% of Fayette County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $130,700, about 2.1 times the median household income. 81% of Fayette County households own their home and 19% rent. The median home was built in 1972, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Fayette County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $798/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $130,700 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Work, industries and travel time in Fayette County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Fayette County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (6% against 1%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 5.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Fayette County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +3.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +3.0 pts |
| Public administration | 7.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Counties near Fayette County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 34 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Fayette County; Effingham County is highest at $80,404 and Clay County lowest at $60,417.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette County | - | $60,944 | $798/mo | 81% |
| Effingham County, IL | 23 mi | $80,404 | $733/mo | 78% |
| Bond County, IL | 24 mi | $65,959 | $785/mo | 77% |
| Marion County, IL | 25 mi | $61,240 | $794/mo | 75% |
| Shelby County, IL | 29 mi | $72,095 | $814/mo | 78% |
| Montgomery County, IL | 29 mi | $63,620 | $723/mo | 77% |
| Clay County, IL | 34 mi | $60,417 | $735/mo | 79% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Fayette County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Fayette County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 9,405 residents, leaving about 56% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Ramsey has the highest median household income on the list ($53,375) and St. Elmo the lowest ($45,294), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $741 in Ramsey to $886 in Brownstown. Live in one of these Fayette County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandalia | city | 5,796 | $45,469 | $778 | 5 mi |
| St. Elmo | city | 1,257 | $45,294 | $762 | 9 mi |
| Ramsey | village | 1,094 | $53,375 | $741 | 11 mi |
| Brownstown | village | 722 | $53,000 | $886 | 3 mi |
| St. Peter | village | 338 | $63,500 | $650 | 13 mi |
| La Clede | CDP | 135 | $43,641 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Bingham | village | 63 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Fayette County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Fayette County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,079 a month: gross income for a household at the Fayette County median
- Housing at the median rent of $798 uses 16%
- Under a 35% cap, $1,778 total minus rent leaves $980
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,487 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Fayette County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Fayette County figures
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.3%, against 6.9% for Illinois.
| Measure | Fayette County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.1% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Fayette County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Fayette County
A few patterns in the Fayette County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- 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.
Steps before you apply in Fayette County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Fayette County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Fayette County borrowers answers to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
More guides for Fayette County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayette County a high-income county?
Its $60,944 median ranks 79th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Fayette County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $798 against $1,274 statewide, and 52% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Fayette County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Fayette 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 Vandalia?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Fayette County, such as St. Elmo, Ramsey, Brownstown.
Does living in Fayette 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 Fayette County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.