1st Advantage MortgageThe median Scott County household earns $66,705, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Illinois before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Scott County
- Jobs and commutes in Scott County
- Paychecks and income spread in Scott County
- Scott County housing compared with Illinois
- The communities that make up Scott County
- The counties around Scott County
- Budget math at the Scott County median
- Before borrowing in Scott County
- Who lives in Scott County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- Steps before you apply in Scott County
- More guides for Scott County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Scott County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Scott County's population at 4,937; only 96 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 251 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 20 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Scott County is not part of any metropolitan area. Winchester is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 1,498 people (30% of the county total). Because Scott County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Jobs and commutes in Scott County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Scott County residents work in education and health care and 13% in manufacturing. Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 1%). The survey's unemployment rate for Scott County averages 2.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 80% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Scott County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 8.9% | +5.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.6% | +7.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | -0.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Paychecks and income spread in Scott County
At $66,705, the typical Scott County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 50 Illinois counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Scott County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +8.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.7% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.6% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -8.8 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. 11.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.458 here. None of these numbers decides a Scott County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Scott County housing compared with Illinois
Renters in Scott County pay a median of $689 a month, 46% below the Illinois figure of $1,274. 24% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,400, about 1.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1963.
| Housing | Scott County | Illinois statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $689/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $96,400 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 14% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.4% | 2.3% | n/a |
Because most Scott County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The communities that make up Scott County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 60% of Scott County residents live in one of the 10. No Scott County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | city | 1,498 | $48,250 | $593 | 1 mi |
| Bluffs | village | 531 | $69,250 | $700 | 8 mi |
| Alsey | village | 258 | $58,750 | $1,321 | 6 mi |
| Manchester | village | 197 | $81,875 | $700 | 10 mi |
| Glasgow | village | 179 | $57,083 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Naples | town | 108 | $170,350 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Exeter | village | 106 | $61,250 | $750 | 6 mi |
| Merritt | CDP | 56 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Riggston | CDP | 30 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Oxville | CDP | 21 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
The counties around Scott County
Six nearby counties, 16 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Scott County; Calhoun County is highest at $93,203 and Pike County lowest at $59,777.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott County | - | $66,705 | $689/mo | 79% |
| Morgan County, IL | 16 mi | $66,306 | $722/mo | 73% |
| Greene County, IL | 20 mi | $62,192 | $754/mo | 78% |
| Pike County, IL | 22 mi | $59,777 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Cass County, IL | 26 mi | $68,125 | $723/mo | 76% |
| Brown County, IL | 27 mi | $67,917 | $698/mo | 72% |
| Calhoun County, IL | 34 mi | $93,203 | $583/mo | 89% |
Budget math at the Scott County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Scott County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,559 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $689 uses 12%
- Under a 35% cap, $1,946 total minus rent leaves $1,257
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,812 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Scott County's.
Before borrowing in Scott County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Scott County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Who lives in Scott County, in numbers
Degree holders: 22% of adults over 25. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Scott County | Illinois | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.5% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.0% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Scott County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
Before sharing details with a lender, a Scott County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Steps before you apply in Scott County
Steps that save money for Scott County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Scott County
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scott County a high-income county?
Its $66,705 median ranks 51st of 102 Illinois counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Scott County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $689 a month; 24% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Scott County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Scott County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Scott County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Winchester, Bluffs, Alsey, Manchester, Glasgow and 5 more.
Are Scott County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.