1st Advantage MortgageIn Pulaski County, Illinois, the typical household earns $42,463 a year and the typical rent is $634. 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
- Pulaski County by the numbers
- Income in Pulaski County compared with Illinois
- Housing costs in Pulaski County
- Jobs and commutes in Pulaski County
- Regional comparison for Pulaski County
- Places inside Pulaski County
- Who lives in Pulaski County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Pulaski County
- What a median Pulaski County budget can carry
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- Checklist for Pulaski County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Pulaski County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pulaski County's population at 5,015; only 95 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. It covers 199 square miles of land, or about 25 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Pulaski County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Mounds, with about 986 residents, or 20% of the county. Because Pulaski County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Pulaski County compared with Illinois
The median household income in Pulaski County is $42,463; statewide it is $83,390, so Pulaski County runs 49% below Illinois as a whole. That places it 102nd among Illinois's 102 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Pulaski County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.0% | +22.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.8% | -13.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.1% | -12.7 pts |
About 43% of households earn under $35,000, while 16% clear $100,000. 25.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.440 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $42,463 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Pulaski County
A typical Pulaski County rental runs $634 a month including utilities, which is 50% below Illinois. 30% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 11% spend half or more. Home values center on $85,100, or 2.0 years of median income. 68% of Pulaski County households own their home and 32% rent.
| Housing | Pulaski County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $634/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $85,100 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 23.9% | 2.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 8% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Pulaski County
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Pulaski County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 10% locally and 4% for Illinois. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.3% in Pulaski County. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Pulaski County workers | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.0% | +5.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Public administration | 10.4% | +6.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.1% | -7.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Pulaski County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Pulaski County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (12 to 25 miles). Income ranges from $47,043 in Alexander County to $66,164 in Ballard County; all six of these neighbors top Pulaski County's median. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Pulaski County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | - | $42,463 | $634/mo | 68% |
| Alexander County, IL | 12 mi | $47,043 | $656/mo | 78% |
| Ballard County, KY | 13 mi | $66,164 | $817/mo | 76% |
| Union County, IL | 20 mi | $55,728 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Johnson County, IL | 22 mi | $62,528 | $781/mo | 82% |
| Massac County, IL | 23 mi | $65,116 | $756/mo | 76% |
| McCracken County, KY | 25 mi | $64,373 | $898/mo | 69% |
Places inside Pulaski County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Pulaski County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 3,170 residents, leaving about 37% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mounds | city | 986 | $30,917 | $592 | 8 mi |
| Mound City | city | 681 | $41,250 | $775 | 9 mi |
| Karnak | village | 466 | $46,818 | $686 | 10 mi |
| Ullin | village | 419 | $61,250 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Olmsted | village | 249 | $32,656 | $625 | 3 mi |
| Pulaski | village | 218 | $33,603 | $669 | 4 mi |
| New Grand Chain | village | 151 | n/a | $581 | 7 mi |
Who lives in Pulaski County, in numbers
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Pulaski County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.0% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.4% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.0% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 35.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.4% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pulaski County
What the Pulaski County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Manufactured homes. 24% of Pulaski County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 25% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
What a median Pulaski County budget can carry
Here is the Pulaski County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $3,539 a month: gross income for a household at the Pulaski County median
- Housing at the median rent of $634 uses 18%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $640 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $1,522 total minus rent leaves $888
Two-income households and single earners in Pulaski County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
Consumer lenders serving Pulaski County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Checklist for Pulaski County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Illinois.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pulaski County a high-income county?
Its $42,463 median ranks 102nd of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Pulaski County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $634 against $1,274 statewide, and 30% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Pulaski County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Mounds, Mound City, Karnak, Ullin, Olmsted and 2 more.
Does living in Pulaski 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 Pulaski County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Pulaski County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Illinois it is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.