1st Advantage MortgageThe median Franklin County household earns $56,740, and 18% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Franklin County
- What stands out in Franklin County
- Franklin County income bands
- Where Franklin County works
- Rent, home values and ownership in Franklin County
- Towns and communities in Franklin County
- Counties near Franklin County
- Room for a loan payment in Franklin County
- Local borrowing considerations for Franklin County
- Who lives in Franklin County, in numbers
- Checklist for Franklin County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Franklin County
Franklin County is home to about 37,323 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 35th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. Packed into 409 square miles, that is close to 91 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Franklin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Largest place: West Frankfort, about 7,118 residents (19% of Franklin County); 15 Census places in all.
What stands out in Franklin County
Ranked against the other 101 county-level areas in Illinois, these are the Franklin County figures furthest from the middle.
- Franklin County ranks 4th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for median home value: $89,000, against $263,300 statewide. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
- Few Illinois counties match Franklin County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 52% here, 48% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 102. Rent pressure leaves little room; stress-test any payment.
- Franklin County ranks 6th highest of 102 Illinois counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 7.7%, against 5.8% statewide. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
Franklin County income bands
$56,740 is the median household income for Franklin County, set against $83,390 for Illinois.
| Households earning | Franklin County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.9% | +11.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.9% | -8.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -9.9 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.5% of Franklin County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.456 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 Franklin County median.
Where Franklin County works
Top Franklin County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 25%; second, manufacturing, 14%. Franklin County over-indexes on agriculture, forestry and mining: 5% versus 1% in Illinois. The survey's unemployment rate for Franklin County averages 7.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. No car: 6.3% of Franklin County households.
| Top industries | Franklin County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.8% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Other services | 6.1% | +1.5 pts |
Self-employed in Franklin County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Rent, home values and ownership in Franklin County
Half of Franklin County renters pay more than $803 a month and half pay less; the Illinois midpoint is $1,274. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 52% in Franklin County, 48% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $89,000, about 1.6 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 74%. The median home was built in 1963, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Against the median U.S. county, Franklin County rent is 8% below.
| Housing | Franklin County | Illinois statewide | Franklin County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 10.3% | 2.3% | +8.1 pts |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | +7.0 pts |
| Median home value | $89,000 | $263,300 | 66% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 48% | +4.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 27% | -4.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $803/mo | $1,274/mo | 37% lower |
At a $89,000 median value, many Franklin County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured). 52% of Franklin County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
Towns and communities in Franklin County
24,938 of Franklin County's 37,323 residents live in its 15 Census places (67%); the 14 largest are listed. Royalton ($59,219) and Valier ($27,305) mark the top and bottom of Franklin County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $661 in West Frankfort to $1,144 in Valier. This guide covers each of the 15 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort | city | 7,118 | $47,898 | $661 | 6 mi |
| Benton | city | 6,863 | $54,123 | $798 | 2 mi |
| Christopher | city | 2,570 | $48,247 | $725 | 7 mi |
| Sesser | city | 2,023 | $52,604 | $726 | 10 mi |
| Zeigler | city | 1,267 | $41,553 | $920 | 9 mi |
| Royalton | village | 1,214 | $59,219 | $906 | 13 mi |
| North City | village | 715 | $53,977 | n/a | 7 mi |
| West City | village | 662 | $48,750 | $860 | 1 mi |
| Valier | village | 523 | $27,305 | $1,144 | 7 mi |
| Thompsonville | village | 500 | $46,058 | $674 | 10 mi |
| Orient | city | 417 | $39,750 | $779 | 6 mi |
| Ewing | village | 341 | $70,833 | $785 | 8 mi |
| Hanaford | village | 332 | $60,750 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Buckner | village | 276 | $46,364 | $1,089 | 5 mi |
Counties near Franklin County
Six nearby counties, 18 to 29 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $48,763 in Jackson County to $65,746 in Hamilton County; 4 of these neighbors top Franklin County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | - | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Williamson County, IL | 18 mi | $65,604 | $930/mo | 71% |
| Jefferson County, IL | 21 mi | $63,118 | $885/mo | 72% |
| Hamilton County, IL | 22 mi | $65,746 | $568/mo | 76% |
| Perry County, IL | 25 mi | $62,118 | $728/mo | 81% |
| Saline County, IL | 27 mi | $53,117 | $726/mo | 73% |
| Jackson County, IL | 29 mi | $48,763 | $782/mo | 50% |
Room for a loan payment in Franklin County
How much room does a median Franklin County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Franklin County: $4,728
- 17% goes to median rent ($803)
- $852: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,325: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Franklin County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for Franklin County
- Tight rental budgets. With 52% of Franklin County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who lives in Franklin County, in numbers
16% of Franklin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Franklin County | Difference from Illinois | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | +4.4 yrs | +1.9 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | -22.1 pts | -6.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.4% | +0.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | +0.5 pts | -0.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | -4.7 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Work from home | 7.2% | -8.6 pts | -1.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 17.5% | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.7% | +1.8 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Commute length | Franklin County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Checklist for Franklin County applicants
Quick steps for Franklin County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Illinois license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Franklin 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.
Related local guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Franklin County household make?
About $56,740 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 32% below the Illinois median.
How does Franklin County rent compare with Illinois?
$803 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 37% below.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Franklin County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 74% of Franklin County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Franklin County?
By population: West Frankfort, Benton, Christopher, Sesser, Zeigler. The county has 15 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Franklin County or elsewhere in Illinois, the same rules apply.