1st Advantage MortgageLaSalle County households have a median income of $73,045 and median rent of $928 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- LaSalle County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in LaSalle County
- Paychecks and income spread in LaSalle County
- LaSalle County housing compared with Illinois
- The counties around LaSalle County
- Places inside LaSalle County
- Debt-to-income at LaSalle County's medians
- What the numbers mean for LaSalle County borrowers
- People and households in LaSalle County
- Licensing and complaints for LaSalle County
- Four steps for LaSalle County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
LaSalle County by the numbers
With an estimated 108,714 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), LaSalle County ranks 17th of 102 in Illinois for population. Packed into 1,135 square miles, that is close to 96 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes LaSalle County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 29 places in the county (23 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Ottawa, with about 18,447 residents, or 17% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in LaSalle County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed LaSalle County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for LaSalle County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 83% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 6.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | LaSalle County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.9% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in LaSalle County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in LaSalle County
Half of LaSalle County households take in less than $73,045 a year and half take in more, 12% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
| Yearly household income | LaSalle County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.0% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +6.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.2% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.6% | -6.2 pts |
About 23% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. Census counts 13.9% of LaSalle County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. A household earning below the $73,045 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
LaSalle County housing compared with Illinois
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $928 in LaSalle County versus $1,274 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Home values center on $161,900, or 2.2 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1963.
| Measure | LaSalle County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $928/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $161,900 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Because most LaSalle 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.
The counties around LaSalle County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 35 miles). Income ranges from $69,257 in Bureau County to $111,601 in Kendall County; 3 of these neighbors top LaSalle County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaSalle County | - | $73,045 | $928/mo | 74% |
| Putnam County, IL | 24 mi | $75,590 | $851/mo | 81% |
| Grundy County, IL | 25 mi | $92,235 | $1,177/mo | 74% |
| Kendall County, IL | 29 mi | $111,601 | $1,781/mo | 84% |
| Marshall County, IL | 32 mi | $71,585 | $782/mo | 79% |
| Bureau County, IL | 34 mi | $69,257 | $832/mo | 76% |
| Lee County, IL | 35 mi | $70,292 | $894/mo | 74% |
Places inside LaSalle County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 29 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of LaSalle County residents live in one of the 29. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $51,632 in Mendota to $107,875 in Lake Holiday. Live in one of these LaSalle County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | city | 18,447 | $71,413 | $920 | 3 mi |
| Streator | city | 12,330 | $57,609 | $852 | 15 mi |
| Peru | city | 9,775 | $74,808 | $921 | 13 mi |
| LaSalle | city | 9,498 | $57,732 | $1,045 | 11 mi |
| Mendota | city | 6,994 | $51,632 | $773 | 18 mi |
| Lake Holiday | CDP | 5,641 | $107,875 | $1,496 | 22 mi |
| Marseilles | city | 4,279 | $58,217 | $1,041 | 11 mi |
| Oglesby | city | 3,570 | $76,189 | $888 | 10 mi |
| Sheridan | village | 2,519 | $85,250 | $1,070 | 17 mi |
| Earlville | city | 1,942 | $63,553 | $966 | 17 mi |
| North Utica | village | 1,282 | $104,028 | $1,292 | 7 mi |
| Leland | village | 1,065 | $79,583 | $1,054 | 19 mi |
| Dalzell | village | 736 | $77,500 | $919 | 15 mi |
| Tonica | village | 717 | $90,000 | $855 | 13 mi |
Debt-to-income at LaSalle County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to LaSalle County's medians:
- $6,087 a month: gross income for a household at the LaSalle County median
- Housing at the median rent of $928 uses 15%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,263 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for LaSalle County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for LaSalle County borrowers.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
People and households in LaSalle County
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 4.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | LaSalle County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | LaSalle County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 10.7% |
Licensing and complaints for LaSalle County
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
Four steps for LaSalle County borrowers
Steps that save money for LaSalle County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in LaSalle County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in LaSalle County?
$73,045 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $83,390 for Illinois. It ranks 32nd of 102 in the state.
Is LaSalle County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $928 against $1,274 statewide, and 43% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in LaSalle County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small LaSalle County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Ottawa, Streator, Peru, LaSalle, Mendota and 24 more.
Is the fit check different in LaSalle County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.