1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County households have a median income of $63,118 and median rent of $885 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- 36,550 residents: Jefferson County basics
- Jefferson County's most unusual numbers
- What it costs to live in Jefferson County
- What Jefferson County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Jefferson County
- The counties around Jefferson County
- Jefferson County towns compared
- Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- Illinois lender licensing
- Beyond Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
36,550 residents: Jefferson County basics
Roughly 36,550 residents live in Jefferson County, Illinois, 38th by population among the state's 102 counties and county equivalents. Its 571 square miles average 64 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Jefferson County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Mount Vernon is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 14,090 people (39% of the county total).
Jefferson County's most unusual numbers
The 3 Jefferson County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Illinois, and what each means for a borrower:
- Jefferson County ranks 10th highest of 102 Illinois counties for the share of mobile homes: 17.0%, against 2.3% statewide. Manufactured homes often do not qualify for home equity loans, so unsecured loans fill the gap.
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 8% in Jefferson County. Only 11 of 102 Illinois counties are lower. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Jefferson County ranks 15th highest of 102 Illinois counties for the uninsured rate: 7.2%, against 6.9% statewide. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
What it costs to live in Jefferson County
Renters in Jefferson County pay a median of $885 a month, 31% below the Illinois figure of $1,274. By the Census definition, 43% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. Jefferson County homes are worth $126,000 at the median, a 2.0-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Illinois | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $126,000 | $263,300 | 52% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | -5.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | -4.7 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | +4.6 pts |
| Vacant units | 11% | 8% | +3.2 pts |
| Median gross rent | $885/mo | $1,274/mo | 31% lower |
What Jefferson County households earn
The median household income in Jefferson County is $63,118; statewide it is $83,390, so Jefferson County runs 24% below Illinois as a whole. In the state ranking that is 67th of 102.
| Households earning | Jefferson County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.4% | +5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.9% | +9.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.2% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -9.2 pts |
On the low end, 26% of Jefferson County households report under $35,000; at the top, 27% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 13.5% of Jefferson County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.433 here. A household earning below the $63,118 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Jefferson County
Education and health care (23%), manufacturing (18%) and retail trade (13%) lead Jefferson County's job mix. Relative to Illinois (11%), manufacturing is 7 points bigger in Jefferson County (18%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 42% of Jefferson County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 8% need 45 or more. 6.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jefferson County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | +6.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -6.4 pts |
Self-employed in Jefferson County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The counties around Jefferson County
Distances run center to center, from Franklin County at 21 miles out to Perry County at 28. Income ranges from $55,521 in Wayne County to $78,224 in Washington County; 2 of these neighbors top Jefferson County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $63,118 | $885/mo | 72% |
| Franklin County, IL | 21 mi | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Marion County, IL | 24 mi | $61,240 | $794/mo | 75% |
| Hamilton County, IL | 26 mi | $65,746 | $568/mo | 76% |
| Washington County, IL | 27 mi | $78,224 | $818/mo | 84% |
| Wayne County, IL | 28 mi | $55,521 | $657/mo | 78% |
| Perry County, IL | 28 mi | $62,118 | $728/mo | 81% |
Jefferson County towns compared
18,919 of Jefferson County's 36,550 residents live in its 10 Census places (52%); the 10 largest are listed. Woodlawn ($72,500) and Dix ($46,339) mark the top and bottom of Jefferson County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Dix ($418) and steepest in Woodlawn ($1,009). From Mount Vernon to the smallest crossroads, Jefferson County residents share this guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | city | 14,090 | $55,357 | $910 | 1 mi |
| Ina | village | 1,560 | $54,000 | $536 | 10 mi |
| Woodlawn | village | 632 | $72,500 | $1,009 | 6 mi |
| Dix | village | 568 | $46,339 | $418 | 10 mi |
| Bluford | village | 483 | $51,583 | $786 | 10 mi |
| Bonnie | village | 461 | $60,536 | $1,018 | 7 mi |
| Belle Rive | village | 382 | $53,281 | $540 | 11 mi |
| Waltonville | village | 294 | $63,750 | $688 | 9 mi |
| Opdyke | CDP | 246 | $63,750 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Nason | city | 203 | $50,052 | n/a | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jefferson County borrowers.
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Consolidating cards in Jefferson County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
Here is the Jefferson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $63,118 a year is $5,260 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $885, takes 17% of that
- $1,377: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
A household below the $63,118 median has less room than this, often none.
Age, degrees and coverage in Jefferson County
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 7.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Jefferson County | +/- Illinois | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | -19.7 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Work from home | 5.4% | -10.4 pts | -3.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.3% | -4.7 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Median age | 41.2 | +2.2 yrs | -0.3 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | -1.9 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | +1.7 pts | +0.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.2% | +0.4 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | -0.1 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jefferson County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Ask a Jefferson County credit union about member loans.
Illinois lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jefferson County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Beyond Jefferson County
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Is $63,118 a good income in Jefferson County?
It is the county median, so half of Jefferson County households earn more and half less; 27% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Jefferson County, IL?
$885 a month, utilities included, or $10,620 a year.
Should Jefferson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Jefferson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Is Nason covered?
Yes. Nason is one of 10 Census places in Jefferson County, and this guide covers all of them.
Will a Jefferson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Illinois as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.