1st Advantage MortgageGallatin County households have a median income of $59,219 and median rent of $541 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
- Who lives in Gallatin County
- Income in Gallatin County compared with Illinois
- The Gallatin County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Gallatin County
- Places inside Gallatin County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Gallatin County, in numbers
- Reading the Gallatin County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Gallatin County's medians
- Who licenses lenders for Gallatin County residents
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Gallatin County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Gallatin County's population at 4,819; only 98 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. It covers 323 square miles of land, or about 15 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Gallatin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 7 Census places inside Gallatin County, Shawneetown leads by population with about 1,087; 7 of the 7 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Gallatin County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Gallatin County compared with Illinois
Half of Gallatin County households take in less than $59,219 a year and half take in more, 29% below the Illinois median of $83,390. In the state ranking that is 87th of 102.
| Household income | Gallatin County | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | +9.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.4% | +7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.4% | -7.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -8.9 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 25% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 13.6%, 2 points higher than the state's 11.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.459 here. For a borrower in Gallatin County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
The Gallatin County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Gallatin County residents work in education and health care and 11% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 11% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Gallatin County averages 9.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 89% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 7.7% of the total (11.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Gallatin County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.3% | +10.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 10.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | +0.4 pts |
| Public administration | 8.8% | +5.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Gallatin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Gallatin County
A typical Gallatin County rental runs $541 a month including utilities, which is 58% below Illinois. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 35% of renter households here. With a median value of $82,900, a typical Gallatin County house costs 1.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 77%. Median construction year: 1969.
| Measure | Gallatin County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $541/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $82,900 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 9% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.1% | 2.3% | n/a |
Because most Gallatin 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 Gallatin County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Gallatin County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 3,254 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Shawneetown has the highest median household income on the list ($48,194) and Equality the lowest ($42,443), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Gallatin County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawneetown | city | 1,087 | $48,194 | $428 | 4 mi |
| Ridgway | village | 779 | $46,000 | $667 | 3 mi |
| Equality | village | 609 | $42,443 | $428 | 7 mi |
| New Haven | village | 464 | $36,250 | $490 | 11 mi |
| Omaha | village | 171 | $57,321 | $810 | 9 mi |
| Old Shawneetown | village | 102 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Junction | village | 42 | $55,625 | n/a | 3 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 17 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Posey County leads the group on income ($78,129), Saline County trails ($53,117), and Gallatin County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into Indiana, Kentucky, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | - | $59,219 | $541/mo | 77% |
| Union County, KY | 17 mi | $60,327 | $790/mo | 70% |
| Saline County, IL | 17 mi | $53,117 | $726/mo | 73% |
| Hardin County, IL | 17 mi | $54,271 | $379/mo | 80% |
| White County, IL | 22 mi | $54,813 | $719/mo | 77% |
| Posey County, IN | 27 mi | $78,129 | $782/mo | 82% |
| Hamilton County, IL | 28 mi | $65,746 | $568/mo | 76% |
Who lives in Gallatin County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. 4.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Gallatin County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.7% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.2% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 13.4% |
Reading the Gallatin County data as a borrower
Where the Gallatin County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 19% of Gallatin County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.7, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
Debt-to-income at Gallatin County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Gallatin County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Gallatin County: $4,935
- Rent at the median, $541, takes 11% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,236 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who licenses lenders for Gallatin County residents
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Gallatin County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gallatin County a high-income county?
Its $59,219 median ranks 87th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Gallatin County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $541 against $1,274 statewide, and 35% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Gallatin County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Gallatin County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Shawneetown, Ridgway, Equality, New Haven, Omaha.
Will a Gallatin County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Illinois as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.