1st Advantage MortgageMcLean County households have a median income of $79,905 and median rent of $1,009 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- McLean County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in McLean County
- Paychecks and income spread in McLean County
- Jobs and commutes in McLean County
- Places inside McLean County
- Regional comparison for McLean County
- What a median McLean County budget can carry
- Before borrowing in McLean County
- People and households in McLean County
- Steps before you apply in McLean County
- Who licenses lenders for McLean County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
McLean County by the numbers
McLean County is home to about 171,556 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 13th most populous of 102 county-level areas in Illinois. Land area is 1,183 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 145 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Bloomington, IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 23 Census places inside McLean County, Bloomington leads by population with about 78,907; 21 of the 23 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in McLean County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,009 in McLean County versus $1,274 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $208,400, about 2.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 65% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1981.
| Housing | McLean County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,009/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $208,400 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 8% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in McLean County
Half of McLean County households take in less than $79,905 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
| Band | McLean County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.5% | +2.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.2% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.6% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.8% | -2.1 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 39% have six-figure incomes. 12.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.474 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a McLean County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in McLean County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; finance, insurance and real estate is next with 18%. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward finance, insurance and real estate (18% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home. Only 5.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | McLean County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +1.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 18.2% | +10.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | -3.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.4% | -3.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside McLean County
23 Census places fall mainly inside McLean County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 154,801 residents, leaving about 10% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $116,250 at the median in Twin Grove, $52,721 in Saybrook. Median rent ranges from $728 in Lexington to $1,400 in McLean. No McLean County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 23.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | city | 78,907 | $77,384 | $1,050 | 7 mi |
| Normal | town | 53,569 | $64,785 | $965 | 8 mi |
| Le Roy | city | 3,236 | $81,875 | $830 | 12 mi |
| Heyworth | village | 2,573 | $96,500 | $1,053 | 15 mi |
| Lexington | city | 2,126 | $99,167 | $728 | 11 mi |
| Hudson | village | 1,918 | $110,000 | $1,063 | 11 mi |
| Chenoa | city | 1,647 | $65,769 | $876 | 18 mi |
| Downs | village | 1,641 | $110,625 | $1,258 | 7 mi |
| Twin Grove | CDP | 1,458 | $116,250 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Gridley | village | 1,390 | $67,250 | $808 | 17 mi |
| Danvers | village | 1,130 | $88,854 | $1,319 | 18 mi |
| Colfax | village | 1,054 | $70,625 | $875 | 13 mi |
| Saybrook | village | 744 | $52,721 | $923 | 17 mi |
| McLean | village | 708 | $87,321 | $1,400 | 21 mi |
Regional comparison for McLean County
De Witt County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Piatt County, is 36 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than McLean County; Piatt County is highest at $94,811 and Ford County lowest at $62,439.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County | - | $79,905 | $1,009/mo | 65% |
| De Witt County, IL | 22 mi | $71,678 | $903/mo | 79% |
| Woodford County, IL | 28 mi | $91,483 | $912/mo | 86% |
| Livingston County, IL | 32 mi | $73,790 | $880/mo | 74% |
| Ford County, IL | 33 mi | $62,439 | $923/mo | 72% |
| Tazewell County, IL | 35 mi | $77,982 | $909/mo | 78% |
| Piatt County, IL | 36 mi | $94,811 | $1,046/mo | 85% |
What a median McLean County budget can carry
McLean County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $6,659 gross per month ($79,905 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,009, which is 15% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,388 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in McLean County
Based on the McLean County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
People and households in McLean County
47% of McLean County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | McLean County | All of Illinois | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.3 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 47.2% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.1% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.5% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of McLean County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 3.9% |
Steps before you apply in McLean County
A short checklist for McLean County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Illinois borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for McLean County residents
Consumer lenders serving McLean County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in McLean County earn?
The median is $79,905; 39% earn $100,000 or more and 23% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in McLean County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,009 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the McLean County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 23 Census places: Bloomington, Normal, Le Roy, Heyworth, Lexington.
Can McLean 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.
Where can someone in McLean 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.