1st Advantage MortgageIn Jackson County, Illinois, the typical household earns $48,763 a year and the typical rent is $782. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Illinois license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Jackson County
- How much Jackson County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Jackson County
- Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
- Jackson County and the counties next door
- Places inside Jackson County
- A Jackson County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Jackson County
- Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
- A Jackson County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jackson County
Jackson County is home to about 53,064 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 27th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. Land area is 584 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 91 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Carbondale is the biggest of its 12 Census places, at roughly 22,158 people (42% of the county total).
How much Jackson County households make
Jackson County households have a median income of $48,763 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 100th of 102 in Illinois.
| Income band | Share in Jackson County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.7% | +16.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.7% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.7% | -10.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -8.9 pts |
About 38% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. Census counts 21.0% of Jackson County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. None of these numbers decides a Jackson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Jackson County
A typical Jackson County rental runs $782 a month including utilities, which is 39% below Illinois. By the Census definition, 50% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $137,300, about 2.8 times the median household income. 50% of Jackson County households own their home and 50% rent. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Jackson County | Illinois | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $782/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $137,300 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 50% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 8% | n/a |
With renters making up 50% of households, many Jackson County borrowers have no home equity to fall back on, so the cheapest written offer on an unsecured loan matters more. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
Education and health care employs 35% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Education and health care stands out: 35% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.5% in Jackson County. About 73% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 11.5% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Jackson County workers | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 35.2% | +11.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -5.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.2% | -4.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.9% | +0.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Jackson County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jackson County's, from 21 to 30 miles away. Randolph County leads the group on income ($68,131), Union County trails ($55,728), and Jackson County out-earns 0 of the six. Some neighbors are in Missouri. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jackson County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $48,763 | $782/mo | 50% |
| Perry County, IL | 21 mi | $62,118 | $728/mo | 81% |
| Union County, IL | 22 mi | $55,728 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Perry County, MO | 24 mi | $62,981 | $923/mo | 77% |
| Williamson County, IL | 25 mi | $65,604 | $930/mo | 71% |
| Franklin County, IL | 29 mi | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Randolph County, IL | 30 mi | $68,131 | $780/mo | 77% |
Places inside Jackson County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 66% of Jackson County residents live in one of the 12. Makanda has the highest median household income on the list ($79,000) and Carbondale the lowest ($32,128), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Ava ($492) and steepest in Makanda ($954). No Jackson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | city | 22,158 | $32,128 | $771 | 10 mi |
| Murphysboro | city | 6,735 | $44,154 | $697 | 3 mi |
| De Soto | village | 1,654 | $62,813 | $832 | 9 mi |
| Harrison | CDP | 830 | $77,632 | $915 | 3 mi |
| Elkville | village | 751 | $39,063 | $728 | 12 mi |
| Makanda | village | 612 | $79,000 | $954 | 14 mi |
| Ava | city | 561 | $55,368 | $492 | 9 mi |
| Grand Tower | city | 502 | $46,875 | $682 | 12 mi |
| Campbell Hill | village | 328 | $69,018 | $850 | 14 mi |
| Vergennes | village | 303 | $54,583 | $950 | 8 mi |
| Dowell | village | 299 | $55,714 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Gorham | village | 248 | $55,938 | $571 | 7 mi |
A Jackson County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Jackson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,064 gross per month ($48,763 / 12)
- Less median rent of $782, which is 19% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $843 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 36% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Jackson County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.3% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.1% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.3% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.5% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.8% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jackson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Jackson County
Where the Jackson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 21% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Jackson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Licensing and complaints for Jackson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jackson County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Illinois state guide for the statewide picture.
A Jackson County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Jackson County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Illinois license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson County a high-income county?
Its $48,763 median ranks 100th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $782 against $1,274 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Jackson County?
By population: Carbondale, Murphysboro, De Soto, Harrison, Elkville. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Are Jackson 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.
Where can someone in Jackson County check a lender's license?
With the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.