1st Advantage MortgageThe median Fulton County household earns $60,599, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Fulton County, and confirm each one's Illinois license.
On this page
- Fulton County, IL: the basics
- Fulton County's most unusual numbers
- Fulton County industries and commutes
- Household income in Fulton County
- Housing costs in Fulton County
- The counties around Fulton County
- Fulton County towns compared
- Fulton County demographics against Illinois
- What a median Fulton County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Fulton County
- Steps before you apply in Fulton County
- Who licenses lenders for Fulton County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Fulton County, IL: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Fulton County's population at 33,020; only 44 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 38.1 residents per square mile across 866 square miles of land. Metro status: none; Fulton County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. The Census Bureau counts 17 places in the county (17 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Canton, with about 13,144 residents, or 40% of the county.
Fulton County's most unusual numbers
- Fulton County ranks 13th highest of 102 Illinois counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 6.7%, against 5.8% statewide. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- On the share of workers who work from home, Fulton County sits near the bottom of Illinois at 5.1%, 15th lowest of 102. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
- Fulton County ranks 17th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for the uninsured rate: 3.7%, against 6.9% statewide. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
Fulton County industries and commutes
Top Fulton County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 27%; second, manufacturing, 13%. Education and health care stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Fulton County averages 6.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 41% of Fulton County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 20% need 45 or more.
| Industry | Share of Fulton County workers | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +3.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 6.3% | +2.5 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Household income in Fulton County
$60,599 is the median household income for Fulton County, set against $83,390 for Illinois. In the state ranking that is 81st of 102.
| Households earning | Fulton County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.9% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +7.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -9.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Fulton County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. Census counts 13.2% of Fulton County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Gini index for Fulton County: 0.432. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Fulton County
Half of Fulton County renters pay more than $785 a month and half pay less; the Illinois midpoint is $1,274. About 5 in 10 Fulton County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $107,200, a typical Fulton County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%. Half the housing stock was built before 1960. Against the median U.S. county, Fulton County rent is 10% below.
| Measure | Fulton County | Illinois | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 77% | 67% | +9.5 pts |
| Median home value | $107,200 | $263,300 | 59% lower |
| Vacant units | 13% | 8% | +5.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $785/mo | $1,274/mo | 38% lower |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | -3.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 48% | -2.0 pts |
With 77% of Fulton County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
The counties around Fulton County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Fulton County's, from 22 to 34 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Fulton County; Cass County is highest at $68,125 and McDonough County lowest at $52,795.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County | - | $60,599 | $785/mo | 77% |
| Mason County, IL | 22 mi | $62,845 | $802/mo | 82% |
| McDonough County, IL | 25 mi | $52,795 | $761/mo | 63% |
| Schuyler County, IL | 30 mi | $65,948 | $853/mo | 79% |
| Peoria County, IL | 32 mi | $65,108 | $993/mo | 67% |
| Knox County, IL | 32 mi | $57,030 | $788/mo | 71% |
| Cass County, IL | 34 mi | $68,125 | $723/mo | 76% |
Fulton County towns compared
20,477 of Fulton County's 33,020 residents live in its 17 Census places (62%); the 14 largest are listed. Lewistown has the highest median household income on the list ($54,000) and Cuba the lowest ($42,375), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $599 in Lewistown to $829 in Cuba. This guide covers each of the 17 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | city | 13,144 | $53,254 | $766 | 11 mi |
| Lewistown | city | 1,781 | $54,000 | $599 | 5 mi |
| Cuba | city | 1,004 | $42,375 | $829 | 2 mi |
| Astoria | town | 984 | $50,536 | $680 | 18 mi |
| Vermont | village | 698 | $48,846 | $704 | 17 mi |
| Ipava | village | 487 | $48,698 | $1,055 | 10 mi |
| St. David | village | 383 | $54,583 | $1,125 | 8 mi |
| Fairview | village | 324 | $58,125 | $706 | 13 mi |
| Dunfermline | village | 314 | $70,833 | $950 | 9 mi |
| Table Grove | village | 306 | $59,000 | $794 | 14 mi |
| Norris | village | 303 | $44,844 | $863 | 14 mi |
| Bryant | village | 160 | $35,000 | $590 | 6 mi |
| Banner | village | 157 | $52,917 | $775 | 15 mi |
| Smithfield | village | 150 | $65,000 | n/a | 5 mi |
Fulton County demographics against Illinois
In Fulton County, 18% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Uninsured, Fulton County: 3.7%; Illinois: 6.9%.
| Indicator | Fulton County | +/- Illinois | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.5% | -19.4 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Work from home | 5.1% | -10.8 pts | -3.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | -5.6 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Median age | 43.9 | +4.9 yrs | +2.4 yrs |
| No health insurance | 3.7% | -3.2 pts | -4.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | +1.3 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | +0.8 pts | +2.3 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | -0.1 pts | n/a |
| Commute length | Fulton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.6% |
| 60+ min | 9.2% |
What a median Fulton County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Fulton County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,050 a month: gross income for a household at the Fulton County median
- Housing at the median rent of $785 uses 16%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,818 total minus rent leaves $1,033
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,386 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Fulton County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Local borrowing considerations for Fulton County
Based on the Fulton County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Fulton County rent burden. 46% of renters are cost-burdened; ask your landlord about a payment plan before borrowing for rent.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Fulton County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Steps before you apply in Fulton County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Fulton County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Fulton County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Illinois.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Fulton County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Fulton County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $60,599 a good income in Fulton County?
It is the county median, so half of Fulton County households earn more and half less; 28% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Fulton County, IL?
$785 a month, utilities included, or $9,420 a year.
Does this page cover Canton?
Yes, along with the other 16 Census places in Fulton County, such as Lewistown, Cuba, Astoria.
Are Fulton County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Fulton County residents?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation licenses consumer lenders in Illinois; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.