1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Hamilton County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $65,746. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Hamilton County, IL: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Hamilton County
- Household income in Hamilton County
- Employment and commuting in Hamilton County
- Hamilton County towns compared
- The counties around Hamilton County
- Budget math at the Hamilton County median
- Before borrowing in Hamilton County
- More Hamilton County figures
- Four steps for Hamilton County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Hamilton County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hamilton County, IL: the basics
Hamilton County is home to about 7,916 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 89th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. It covers 435 square miles of land, or about 18 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. McLeansboro is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 2,675 people (34% of the county total). Because Hamilton County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Rent, home values and ownership in Hamilton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $568 in Hamilton County versus $1,274 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 21% of renter households here. Home values center on $113,700, or 1.7 years of median income. 76% of Hamilton County households own their home and 24% rent.
| Hamilton County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $568/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $113,700 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 21% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.4% | 2.3% | n/a |
Because most Hamilton 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.
Household income in Hamilton County
Hamilton County households have a median income of $65,746 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 60th of 102 in Illinois.
| Yearly household income | Hamilton County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.5% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -7.7 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.1% of Hamilton County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. A household earning below the $65,746 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Hamilton County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 1% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.1% in Hamilton County. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 2% work from home. Only 5.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Hamilton County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.7% | +7.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -4.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.8 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.
Hamilton County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Hamilton County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 3,579 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLeansboro | city | 2,675 | $45,422 | $566 | 0 mi |
| Dahlgren | village | 595 | $44,861 | $557 | 11 mi |
| Broughton | village | 206 | $54,375 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Belle Prairie City | town | 72 | $76,071 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Macedonia | village | 31 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
The counties around Hamilton County
White County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Gallatin County, is 28 miles off. Jefferson County leads the group on income ($63,118), Saline County trails ($53,117), and Hamilton County out-earns 6 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | - | $65,746 | $568/mo | 76% |
| White County, IL | 20 mi | $54,813 | $719/mo | 77% |
| Franklin County, IL | 22 mi | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Saline County, IL | 23 mi | $53,117 | $726/mo | 73% |
| Wayne County, IL | 25 mi | $55,521 | $657/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, IL | 26 mi | $63,118 | $885/mo | 72% |
| Gallatin County, IL | 28 mi | $59,219 | $541/mo | 77% |
Budget math at the Hamilton County median
Hamilton County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,479 gross per month ($65,746 / 12)
- 10% goes to median rent ($568)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,624 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Hamilton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Hamilton County
Where the Hamilton County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Hamilton County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More Hamilton County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Hamilton County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.0% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.3% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.4% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Hamilton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Four steps for Hamilton County borrowers
Steps that save money for Hamilton County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hamilton County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hamilton County-area credit union.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Hamilton County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Hamilton County, check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Related local guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hamilton County earn?
The median is $65,746; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Hamilton County?
$568 a month at the median, about 10% of median household income.
I live in a small Hamilton County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers McLeansboro, Dahlgren, Broughton, Belle Prairie City, Macedonia.
Is the fit check different in Hamilton County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hamilton 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.