1st Advantage MortgageThe median Marshall County household earns $71,585, and 11% 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
- Marshall County at a glance
- Housing costs in Marshall County
- Income in Marshall County compared with Illinois
- Employment and commuting in Marshall County
- Marshall County towns compared
- The counties around Marshall County
- Debt-to-income at Marshall County's medians
- Marshall County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Marshall County
- Four steps for Marshall County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Marshall County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marshall County's population at 11,647; only 84 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. It covers 387 square miles of land, or about 30 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Peoria, IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Henry, with about 2,441 residents, or 21% of the county.
Housing costs in Marshall County
A typical Marshall County rental runs $782 a month including utilities, which is 39% below Illinois. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 18% spend half or more. Home values center on $142,800, or 2.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1961.
| Measure | Marshall County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $782/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $142,800 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% | 2.3% | n/a |
Because most Marshall 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.
Income in Marshall County compared with Illinois
At $71,585, the typical Marshall County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Marshall County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.1% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +8.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -8.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Marshall County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. 11.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.411 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Marshall County median.
Employment and commuting in Marshall County
The biggest employer of Marshall County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 21% of workers, followed by education and health care (19%). Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward manufacturing (21% against 11%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Marshall County. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 3.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Marshall County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.6% | +9.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.7% | +6.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | +1.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Marshall County towns compared
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 79% of Marshall County residents live in one of the 9. Incomes vary by place: $120,592 at the median in Hopewell, $43,300 in Wenona. No Marshall County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry | city | 2,441 | $65,577 | $681 | 6 mi |
| Lacon | city | 1,916 | $63,162 | $817 | 3 mi |
| Toluca | city | 1,477 | $69,545 | $860 | 11 mi |
| Wenona | city | 999 | $43,300 | $866 | 15 mi |
| Washburn | village | 945 | $76,667 | $856 | 8 mi |
| Hopewell | village | 604 | $120,592 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Varna | village | 387 | $62,639 | $833 | 6 mi |
| Sparland | village | 295 | $43,125 | $1,063 | 5 mi |
| La Rose | village | 97 | $41,875 | $1,014 | 7 mi |
The counties around Marshall County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (12 to 32 miles). Woodford County leads the group on income ($91,483), Stark County trails ($62,878), and Marshall County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall County | - | $71,585 | $782/mo | 79% |
| Putnam County, IL | 12 mi | $75,590 | $851/mo | 81% |
| Woodford County, IL | 18 mi | $91,483 | $912/mo | 86% |
| Stark County, IL | 24 mi | $62,878 | $735/mo | 80% |
| Bureau County, IL | 27 mi | $69,257 | $832/mo | 76% |
| Peoria County, IL | 28 mi | $65,108 | $993/mo | 67% |
| LaSalle County, IL | 32 mi | $73,045 | $928/mo | 74% |
Debt-to-income at Marshall County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Marshall County's medians:
- $71,585 a year is $5,965 of gross monthly income
- 13% goes to median rent ($782)
- $1,366: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,783 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Marshall County households compared
18% of Marshall County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Marshall County | Illinois | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.0% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Marshall County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Marshall County
What the Marshall County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Four steps for Marshall County borrowers
Quick steps for Marshall County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
Consumer lenders serving Marshall County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marshall County a high-income county?
Its $71,585 median ranks 39th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Marshall County?
$782 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Does this page cover Henry?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Marshall County, such as Lacon, Toluca, Wenona.
Is the fit check different in Marshall County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Marshall County?
Start with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.