1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Moultrie County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $71,784. 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
- Getting oriented in Moultrie County
- Work, industries and travel time in Moultrie County
- What Moultrie County households earn
- What it costs to live in Moultrie County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Towns and communities in Moultrie County
- Who lives in Moultrie County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Moultrie County borrowers
- Budget math at the Moultrie County median
- Checklist for Moultrie County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Moultrie County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Moultrie County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Moultrie County's population at 14,424; only 73 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 336 square miles, that works out to roughly 42.9 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Moultrie County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Sullivan, with about 4,348 residents, or 30% of the county.
Work, industries and travel time in Moultrie County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Moultrie County residents work in manufacturing and 20% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Moultrie County averages 2.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Moultrie County workers | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 19.9% | +8.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +3.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +3.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.8% | +4.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Moultrie County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What Moultrie County households earn
At $71,784, the typical Moultrie County household income is 9% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 36th of 102.
| Band | Moultrie County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.8% | +1.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | +5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.1% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Moultrie County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 9.2%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.425 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $71,784 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Moultrie County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $804 in Moultrie County versus $1,274 statewide. By the Census definition, 34% of Moultrie County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $134,000, or 1.9 years of median income. 76% of Moultrie County households own their home and 24% rent.
| Measure | Moultrie County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $804/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $134,000 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 27% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Moultrie 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 20 to 32 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Moultrie County; Piatt County is highest at $94,811 and Coles County lowest at $56,478.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moultrie County | - | $71,784 | $804/mo | 76% |
| Shelby County, IL | 20 mi | $72,095 | $814/mo | 78% |
| Coles County, IL | 23 mi | $56,478 | $780/mo | 60% |
| Douglas County, IL | 23 mi | $77,320 | $848/mo | 77% |
| Macon County, IL | 24 mi | $62,666 | $847/mo | 70% |
| Piatt County, IL | 26 mi | $94,811 | $1,046/mo | 85% |
| Cumberland County, IL | 32 mi | $73,327 | $772/mo | 84% |
Towns and communities in Moultrie County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Moultrie County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 9,729 people, so roughly 33% of residents live outside any named place. Dalton City has the highest median household income on the list ($77,750) and Bethany the lowest ($44,583), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $788 in Lovington to $1,002 in Bethany. No Moultrie County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan | city | 4,348 | $63,229 | $831 | 3 mi |
| Arthur | village | 2,083 | $54,907 | $892 | 10 mi |
| Bethany | village | 1,176 | $44,583 | $1,002 | 6 mi |
| Lovington | village | 1,045 | $55,556 | $788 | 5 mi |
| Dalton City | village | 694 | $77,750 | $860 | 11 mi |
| Gays | village | 165 | $52,188 | $875 | 14 mi |
| Allenville | village | 126 | $69,250 | $1,125 | 7 mi |
| Lake City | CDP | 92 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Who lives in Moultrie County, in numbers
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Moultrie County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.0% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.4% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.1% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 13.3% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.2% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.2% |
What the numbers mean for Moultrie County borrowers
Where the Moultrie County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 14% of Moultrie County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Budget math at the Moultrie County median
Here is the Moultrie County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,982 a month: gross income for a household at the Moultrie County median
- 13% goes to median rent ($804)
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,768 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.
Checklist for Moultrie County applicants
Quick steps for Moultrie County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Illinois.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for Moultrie County residents
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.
Related local guides
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Moultrie County household make?
About $71,784 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Illinois median.
How much is rent in Moultrie County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $804 a month; 34% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Moultrie County?
By population: Sullivan, Arthur, Bethany, Lovington, Dalton City. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Moultrie County or elsewhere in Illinois, the same rules apply.
Is there a Moultrie County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Illinois it is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.