1st Advantage MortgageThe median Henry County household earns $71,911, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Henry County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Henry County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Henry County
- Employment and commuting in Henry County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Henry County
- Regional comparison for Henry County
- Debt-to-income at Henry County's medians
- Henry County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Henry County data as a borrower
- Illinois rules that apply in Henry County
- A Henry County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Henry County
- Frequently asked questions
Henry County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Henry County's population at 48,643; only 29 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 823 square miles, that is close to 59 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 18 places in the county (14 incorporated, 4 census-designated); the largest is Kewanee, with about 11,913 residents, or 24% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Henry County
At $71,911, the typical Henry County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 34 Illinois counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Henry County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.1% | -0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.4% | -0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -6.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Henry County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 8.9%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.8%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.426 here. For a borrower in Henry 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.
Rent, home values and ownership in Henry County
A typical Henry County rental runs $842 a month including utilities, which is 34% below Illinois. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. With a median value of $151,600, a typical Henry County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 80%.
| Home costs | Henry County | Illinois | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $842/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $151,600 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.7% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Henry County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Employment and commuting in Henry County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 16%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 16% locally and 11% for Illinois. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Henry County. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 6.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Henry County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.0% | +4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -1.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Henry County
18 Census places fall mainly inside Henry County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 34,737 residents, leaving about 29% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $50,886 in Kewanee to $94,375 in Orion. None of the 18 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kewanee | city | 11,913 | $50,886 | $797 | 13 mi |
| Geneseo | city | 6,673 | $70,147 | $1,015 | 7 mi |
| Colona | city | 5,139 | $79,700 | $838 | 13 mi |
| Galva | city | 2,454 | $52,470 | $783 | 13 mi |
| Cambridge | village | 2,128 | $64,979 | $968 | 5 mi |
| Orion | village | 1,812 | $94,375 | $833 | 13 mi |
| Atkinson | town | 982 | $57,174 | $734 | 8 mi |
| Annawan | town | 865 | $70,729 | $588 | 13 mi |
| Alpha | village | 831 | $77,639 | $819 | 17 mi |
| Woodhull | village | 731 | $65,893 | $634 | 15 mi |
| Andover | village | 434 | $77,813 | $924 | 9 mi |
| Cleveland | village | 208 | $73,750 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Hooppole | village | 182 | $44,261 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Bishop Hill | village | 134 | $56,429 | n/a | 10 mi |
Regional comparison for Henry County
Rock Island County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Scott County, is 32 miles off. Scott County leads the group on income ($78,277), Knox County trails ($57,030), and Henry County out-earns 5 of the six. Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Henry County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry County | - | $71,911 | $842/mo | 80% |
| Rock Island County, IL | 24 mi | $67,159 | $889/mo | 70% |
| Stark County, IL | 25 mi | $62,878 | $735/mo | 80% |
| Knox County, IL | 29 mi | $57,030 | $788/mo | 71% |
| Whiteside County, IL | 30 mi | $67,500 | $856/mo | 77% |
| Bureau County, IL | 31 mi | $69,257 | $832/mo | 76% |
| Scott County, IA | 32 mi | $78,277 | $1,005/mo | 70% |
Debt-to-income at Henry County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Henry County's medians:
- $5,993 a month: gross income for a household at the Henry County median
- 14% goes to median rent ($842)
- Under a 43% cap, $2,577 total minus rent leaves $1,735
Two-income households and single earners in Henry County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Henry County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Henry County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.9% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Reading the Henry County data as a borrower
Based on the Henry County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Illinois rules that apply in Henry County
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
A Henry County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Henry County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Henry County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Henry County
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Henry County a high-income county?
Its $71,911 median ranks 35th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Henry County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $842 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Henry County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 18 Census places: Kewanee, Geneseo, Colona, Galva, Cambridge.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Henry County or elsewhere in Illinois, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Henry 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.