1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Richland County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $62,455. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- 15,598 residents: Richland County basics
- Housing costs in Richland County
- Paychecks and income spread in Richland County
- How Richland County residents earn a living
- Richland County at the extremes
- Olney and the rest of Richland County
- Richland County next to its neighbors
- People and households in Richland County
- Borrowing situations common in Richland County
- Debt-to-income, Richland County edition
- Four steps for Richland County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Richland County
- Beyond Richland County
- Frequently asked questions
15,598 residents: Richland County basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Richland County's population at 15,598; only 66 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Density: about 43.3 residents per square mile across 360 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Richland County is not part of any metropolitan area. Olney (8,577 people) heads the county's list of 6 Census places, 5 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
Housing costs in Richland County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $805 in Richland County versus $1,274 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Richland County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $112,000; median income $62,455; ratio 1.8. Homeowners 74%, renters 26%.
| Housing | Richland County | Illinois statewide | Richland County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $805/mo | $1,274/mo | 37% lower |
| Median home value | $112,000 | $263,300 | 57% lower |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | +6.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 48% | -1.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 27% | -10.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 14.1% | 2.3% | +11.9 pts |
Richland County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Paychecks and income spread in Richland County
Half of Richland County households take in less than $62,455 a year and half take in more, 25% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
| Household income | Richland County | vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.9% | +6.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.4% | +10.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -9.5 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (27%) in Richland County. Census counts 12.1% of Richland County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Richland County scores 0.423 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Richland County median.
How Richland County residents earn a living
Education and health care (23%), retail trade (18%) and manufacturing (16%) lead Richland County's job mix. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward retail trade (18% against 10%). Unemployment in Richland County, ACS five-year: 3.1%; Illinois: 5.8%. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 544 Richland County households, 8.4%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Richland County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.5% | +7.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.2% | +5.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Richland County at the extremes
Out of every Illinois county, Richland County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the share of mobile homes, Richland County sits near the top of Illinois at 14.1%, 15th highest of 102. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- Few Illinois counties match Richland County on the ACS unemployment rate: 3.1% here, 5.8% for the state, ranking 16th lowest of 102. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 26% in Richland County. Only 14 of 102 Illinois counties are lower. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
Olney and the rest of Richland County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Richland County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 10,157 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Richland County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olney | city | 8,577 | $59,980 | $809 | 1 mi |
| Noble | village | 649 | $57,143 | $511 | 7 mi |
| Dundas | CDP | 272 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Parkersburg | village | 237 | $42,917 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Calhoun | village | 227 | $76,250 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Claremont | village | 195 | $36,591 | $833 | 6 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Richland County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Richland County's, from 19 to 27 miles away. Richest neighbor: Jasper County, $74,755. Poorest: Lawrence County, $55,324. Richland County: $62,455.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland County | - | $62,455 | $805/mo | 74% |
| Lawrence County, IL | 19 mi | $55,324 | $836/mo | 72% |
| Edwards County, IL | 20 mi | $60,519 | $811/mo | 79% |
| Jasper County, IL | 21 mi | $74,755 | $793/mo | 85% |
| Clay County, IL | 22 mi | $60,417 | $735/mo | 79% |
| Wabash County, IL | 23 mi | $57,086 | $794/mo | 76% |
| Crawford County, IL | 27 mi | $71,674 | $811/mo | 82% |
People and households in Richland County
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 6.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Richland County | vs Illinois | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | -18.8 pts | -3.1 pts |
| Work from home | 6.4% | -9.4 pts | -2.3 pts |
| Median age | 42.3 | +3.3 yrs | +0.8 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | -2.7 pts | -1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.4% | -2.5 pts | +3.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | -1.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | -0.8 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.1% | +0.3 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Richland County
Where the Richland County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Richland County borrower sees (free reports).
Debt-to-income, Richland County edition
Here is the Richland County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,205 a month: gross income for a household at the Richland County median
- Less median rent of $805, which is 15% of it
- $1,017: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,537 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Richland County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Four steps for Richland County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Richland County-area credit union.
- Verify the Illinois license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Verifying a lender from Richland County
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. The Illinois guide covers state rules in more detail.
Beyond Richland County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $62,455 a good income in Richland County?
It is the county median, so half of Richland County households earn more and half less; 26% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Richland County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $805 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Richland County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Olney, Noble, Dundas, Parkersburg, Calhoun.
Does living in Richland 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 Richland County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Richland 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.