1st Advantage MortgageThe median Schuyler County household earns $65,948, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Schuyler County
- The Schuyler County job picture
- What Schuyler County households earn
- What it costs to live in Schuyler County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Schuyler County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Schuyler County
- Local borrowing considerations for Schuyler County
- What a median Schuyler County budget can carry
- A Schuyler County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- More guides for Schuyler County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Schuyler County
With an estimated 6,787 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Schuyler County ranks 90th of 102 in Illinois for population. Land area is 437 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 16 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Schuyler County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Rushville, with about 2,747 residents, or 40% of the county. With so few households sampled, Schuyler County estimates can move a lot between releases.
The Schuyler County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Wholesale trade stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 3% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Schuyler County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Schuyler County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 10.0% | +7.4 pts |
| Public administration | 9.5% | +5.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.0% | -3.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.2% | +5.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What Schuyler County households earn
The median household income in Schuyler County is $65,948; statewide it is $83,390, so Schuyler County runs 21% below Illinois as a whole.
| Band | Schuyler County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.8% | +6.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.9% | -3.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -10.2 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. 20.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.427 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Schuyler County median.
What it costs to live in Schuyler County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $853 in Schuyler County versus $1,274 statewide. 34% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 8% spend half or more. With a median value of $109,700, a typical Schuyler County house costs 1.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 79% of Schuyler County households own their home and 21% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1971.
| Housing | Schuyler County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $853/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $109,700 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 27% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Schuyler County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 44% of Schuyler County residents live in one of the 4. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushville | city | 2,747 | $57,583 | $781 | 4 mi |
| Littleton | village | 105 | $64,792 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Browning | village | 99 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Camden | village | 57 | $46,875 | n/a | 8 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Brown County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Hancock County, is 34 miles off. Income ranges from $52,795 in McDonough County to $68,125 in Cass County; 3 of these neighbors top Schuyler County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schuyler County | - | $65,948 | $853/mo | 79% |
| Brown County, IL | 15 mi | $67,917 | $698/mo | 72% |
| McDonough County, IL | 21 mi | $52,795 | $761/mo | 63% |
| Cass County, IL | 23 mi | $68,125 | $723/mo | 76% |
| Fulton County, IL | 30 mi | $60,599 | $785/mo | 77% |
| Adams County, IL | 33 mi | $66,220 | $828/mo | 72% |
| Hancock County, IL | 34 mi | $65,865 | $782/mo | 81% |
People and households in Schuyler County
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Schuyler County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.3% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.4% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.8% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Schuyler County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.6% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Schuyler County
A few patterns in the Schuyler County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 10% of Schuyler County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Retirees. At a median age of 49.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Assistance before credit. With a 21% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Schuyler County loan.
What a median Schuyler County budget can carry
Schuyler County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,496 gross per month ($65,948 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $853, takes 16% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $2,198 total minus rent leaves $1,345
If your rent is above $853, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Schuyler County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Schuyler County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Schuyler County, check the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Illinois state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Schuyler County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schuyler County a high-income county?
Its $65,948 median ranks 57th of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Schuyler County rent compare with Illinois?
$853 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 33% below.
I own my home in Schuyler County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Schuyler County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rushville, Littleton, Browning, Camden.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Schuyler County or elsewhere in Illinois, the same rules apply.