1st Advantage MortgageIn Jo Daviess County, Illinois, the typical household earns $73,993 a year and the typical rent is $825. 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
- Jo Daviess County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Jo Daviess County
- What it costs to live in Jo Daviess County
- Work, industries and travel time in Jo Daviess County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jo Daviess County
- Counties near Jo Daviess County
- A Jo Daviess County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Jo Daviess County
- More Jo Daviess County figures
- Who licenses lenders for Jo Daviess County residents
- A Jo Daviess County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jo Daviess County at a glance
With an estimated 21,851 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jo Daviess County ranks 53rd of 102 in Illinois for population. Land area is 601 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 36 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (10 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Galena, with about 2,931 residents, or 13% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Jo Daviess County
Half of Jo Daviess County households take in less than $73,993 a year and half take in more, 11% below the Illinois median of $83,390. That places it 28th among Illinois's 102 county-level areas.
| Household income | Jo Daviess County | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.6% | -0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +7.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.8% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -5.4 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 35% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 7.8%, 4 points lower than the state's 11.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.428 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Jo Daviess County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Jo Daviess County
Renters in Jo Daviess County pay a median of $825 a month, 35% below the Illinois figure of $1,274. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $209,900, about 2.8 times the median household income. 80% of Jo Daviess County households own their home and 20% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1976.
| Housing | Jo Daviess County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $825/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $209,900 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 27% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jo Daviess 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.
Work, industries and travel time in Jo Daviess County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Jo Daviess County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward manufacturing (17% against 11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Jo Daviess County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jo Daviess County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.2% | +5.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -0.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -6.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | +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 Jo Daviess County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Jo Daviess County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 13,028 residents, leaving about 40% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. The Galena Territory has the highest median household income on the list ($117,548) and Hanover the lowest ($42,250), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Hanover ($705) and steepest in The Galena Territory ($1,279). No Jo Daviess County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galena | city | 2,931 | $58,689 | $836 | 12 mi |
| Stockton | village | 1,873 | $46,934 | $791 | 11 mi |
| The Galena Territory | CDP | 1,735 | $117,548 | $1,279 | 6 mi |
| East Dubuque | city | 1,470 | $67,891 | $867 | 23 mi |
| Warren | village | 1,396 | $75,813 | $741 | 14 mi |
| Hanover | village | 829 | $42,250 | $705 | 8 mi |
| Elizabeth | village | 775 | $56,250 | $739 | 3 mi |
| Apple Canyon Lake | CDP | 741 | $115,072 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Scales Mound | village | 463 | $69,141 | $831 | 8 mi |
| Menominee | village | 345 | $118,750 | $735 | 19 mi |
| Apple River | village | 290 | $44,028 | $880 | 11 mi |
| Nora | village | 180 | $54,073 | $1,120 | 15 mi |
Counties near Jo Daviess County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 36 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Jo Daviess County; Dubuque County is highest at $77,630 and Carroll County lowest at $60,758. Some neighbors are in Iowa and Wisconsin. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jo Daviess County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Daviess County | - | $73,993 | $825/mo | 80% |
| Lafayette County, WI | 21 mi | $76,462 | $830/mo | 80% |
| Jackson County, IA | 23 mi | $74,186 | $807/mo | 81% |
| Carroll County, IL | 25 mi | $60,758 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Stephenson County, IL | 28 mi | $64,043 | $798/mo | 71% |
| Dubuque County, IA | 35 mi | $77,630 | $959/mo | 73% |
| Clinton County, IA | 36 mi | $66,981 | $850/mo | 75% |
A Jo Daviess County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jo Daviess County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Jo Daviess County: $6,166
- Less median rent of $825, which is 13% of it
- $1,395: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Jo Daviess County
Where the Jo Daviess County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 52, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More Jo Daviess County figures
29% of Jo Daviess County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 4.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Jo Daviess County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.9% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.5% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.8% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jo Daviess County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Who licenses lenders for Jo Daviess County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jo Daviess County, check 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 Jo Daviess County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jo Daviess County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jo Daviess County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jo Daviess County a high-income county?
Its $73,993 median ranks 28th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jo Daviess County?
$825 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Which towns does the Jo Daviess County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Galena, Stockton, The Galena Territory, East Dubuque, Warren.
Can Jo Daviess County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Illinois county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Jo Daviess County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Illinois it is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.