1st Advantage MortgageIn Perry County, Illinois, the typical household earns $62,118 a year and the typical rent is $728. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Illinois license first.
On this page
- Perry County by the numbers
- What Perry County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Perry County
- How Perry County residents earn a living
- The communities that make up Perry County
- Perry County next to its neighbors
- More Perry County figures
- Before borrowing in Perry County
- Budget math at the Perry County median
- Who licenses lenders for Perry County residents
- Before you sign
- More guides for Perry County
- Frequently asked questions
Perry County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Perry County's population at 20,639; only 56 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 442 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 47 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Perry County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Du Quoin, with about 5,726 residents, or 28% of the county.
What Perry County households earn
At $62,118, the typical Perry County household income is 5% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Perry County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.4% | +8.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.9% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -9.0 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 16.9% of Perry County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.412 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Perry County median.
Rent, home values and ownership in Perry County
A typical Perry County rental runs $728 a month including utilities, which is 43% below Illinois. By the Census definition, 49% of Perry County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $112,600, a typical Perry County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 81% of Perry County households own their home and 19% rent. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Perry County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $728/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $112,600 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 13% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Perry County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Perry County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 32% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward education and health care (32% against 24%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 86% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Perry County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 32.1% | +8.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.3% | -1.2 pts |
| Public administration | 7.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | -0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.2% | +5.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
The communities that make up Perry County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Perry County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 12,294 residents, leaving about 40% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $48,646 in Tamaroa to $69,583 in Pinckneyville. Median rent ranges from $416 in Pinckneyville to $785 in Tamaroa. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Du Quoin | city | 5,726 | $54,409 | $719 | 9 mi |
| Pinckneyville | city | 5,018 | $69,583 | $416 | 2 mi |
| Tamaroa | village | 597 | $48,646 | $785 | 8 mi |
| Willisville | village | 467 | $55,417 | $844 | 14 mi |
| Cutler | village | 302 | $65,500 | $1,042 | 11 mi |
| St. Johns | village | 184 | $62,500 | $720 | 8 mi |
Perry County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Washington County at 19 miles out to Williamson County at 34. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Perry County; Washington County is highest at $78,224 and Jackson County lowest at $48,763.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | - | $62,118 | $728/mo | 81% |
| Washington County, IL | 19 mi | $78,224 | $818/mo | 84% |
| Jackson County, IL | 21 mi | $48,763 | $782/mo | 50% |
| Randolph County, IL | 25 mi | $68,131 | $780/mo | 77% |
| Franklin County, IL | 25 mi | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, IL | 28 mi | $63,118 | $885/mo | 72% |
| Williamson County, IL | 34 mi | $65,604 | $930/mo | 71% |
More Perry County figures
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Perry County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.7% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.5% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Perry County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Before borrowing in Perry County
A few patterns in the Perry County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Budget math at the Perry County median
Perry County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,176 gross per month ($62,118 / 12)
- 14% goes to median rent ($728)
- Under a 40% cap, $2,071 total minus rent leaves $1,343
Two-income households and single earners in Perry County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who licenses lenders for Perry County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Perry County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Illinois state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Perry County borrowers:
- Price the Perry County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Perry County
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Perry County earn?
The median is $62,118; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Perry County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $728 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Perry County?
By population: Du Quoin, Pinckneyville, Tamaroa, Willisville, Cutler. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does living in Perry County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Perry County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Perry County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Illinois it is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.