1st Advantage MortgageStephenson County (43,768 residents) has a $64,043 median household income and $798 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. 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
- Population and place: Stephenson County
- Where Stephenson County differs from the rest of Illinois
- Labor force snapshot: Stephenson County
- Stephenson County income bands
- Renting and owning in Stephenson County
- Stephenson County, Green County and other neighbors
- Census places in Stephenson County
- Budget math at the Stephenson County median
- Reading the Stephenson County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Stephenson County, in numbers
- Steps before you apply in Stephenson County
- Licensing and complaints for Stephenson County
- More guides for Stephenson County
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Stephenson County
With an estimated 43,768 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Stephenson County ranks 33rd of 102 in Illinois for population. Stephenson County spans 564 square miles; with 43,768 people, that is 77.6 per square mile. Metro status: none; Stephenson County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Freeport (23,505 people) heads the county's list of 13 Census places, 11 incorporated and 2 census-designated.
Where Stephenson County differs from the rest of Illinois
Ranked against the other 101 county-level areas in Illinois, these are the Stephenson County figures furthest from the middle.
- Median age: 45.3 in Stephenson County. Only 16 of 102 Illinois counties are higher. Older borrowers often rely on fixed incomes, so a fixed payment helps.
- Few Illinois counties match Stephenson County on homeownership: 71% here, 67% for the state, ranking 19th lowest of 102. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
Labor force snapshot: Stephenson County
Education and health care (25%), manufacturing (20%) and retail trade (11%) lead Stephenson County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 20% locally and 11% for Illinois. The survey's unemployment rate for Stephenson County averages 4.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 47% of Stephenson County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 12% need 45 or more. 1,526 Stephenson County households, 7.9%, have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Stephenson County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.0% | +8.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.6 pts |
| Other services | 6.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -6.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Stephenson County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Stephenson County income bands
Half of Stephenson County households take in less than $64,043 a year and half take in more, 23% below the Illinois median of $83,390. In the state ranking that is 64th of 102.
| Yearly household income | Stephenson County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.2% | +5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.8% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -8.9 pts |
Six-figure households (29%) outnumber those under $35,000 (26%) in Stephenson County. Census counts 13.9% of Stephenson County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. Stephenson County scores 0.420 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Stephenson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Stephenson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $798 in Stephenson County versus $1,274 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Median value $134,900; median income $64,043; ratio 2.1. The ownership rate is 71%. The median home was built in 1960, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Stephenson County | Illinois figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $134,900 | $263,300 | 49% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | -4.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 27% | -4.1 pts |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | +3.8 pts |
| Median gross rent | $798/mo | $1,274/mo | 37% lower |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | +1.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.6% | 2.3% | +1.4 pts |
Stephenson County, Green County and other neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Stephenson County's, from 23 to 32 miles away. Stephenson County's $64,043 median trails 5 of the six and beats 1; the range runs $60,758 (Carroll County) to $82,852 (Green County). Some neighbors are in Wisconsin. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Stephenson County resident follows Illinois rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephenson County | - | $64,043 | $798/mo | 71% |
| Green County, WI | 23 mi | $82,852 | $867/mo | 76% |
| Carroll County, IL | 23 mi | $60,758 | $818/mo | 77% |
| Winnebago County, IL | 26 mi | $65,837 | $1,021/mo | 66% |
| Ogle County, IL | 28 mi | $82,132 | $936/mo | 75% |
| Jo Daviess County, IL | 28 mi | $73,993 | $825/mo | 80% |
| Lafayette County, WI | 32 mi | $76,462 | $830/mo | 80% |
Census places in Stephenson County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Stephenson County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 32,165 residents, leaving about 27% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $48,845, Willow Lake over Freeport. Median rent ranges from $656 in Dakota to $919 in Davis. Live in one of these Stephenson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | city | 23,505 | $51,723 | $793 | 4 mi |
| Lena | village | 2,761 | $72,663 | $664 | 8 mi |
| Orangeville | village | 1,045 | $69,464 | $788 | 8 mi |
| Willow Lake | CDP | 764 | $100,568 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Pearl City | village | 745 | $63,295 | $744 | 10 mi |
| Cedarville | village | 690 | $67,569 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Dakota | village | 645 | $55,815 | $656 | 8 mi |
| Davis | village | 535 | $62,050 | $919 | 14 mi |
| German Valley | village | 467 | $73,661 | $904 | 13 mi |
| Rock City | village | 441 | $68,125 | $842 | 11 mi |
| Winslow | village | 338 | $55,156 | $877 | 12 mi |
| Ridott | village | 130 | $71,875 | $850 | 10 mi |
| Baileyville | CDP | 99 | $21,007 | n/a | 11 mi |
Budget math at the Stephenson County median
Stephenson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,337 a month: gross income for a household at the Stephenson County median
- 15% goes to median rent ($798)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,123 a month
- $1,497: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $798, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Stephenson County data as a borrower
What the Stephenson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 45, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Who lives in Stephenson County, in numbers
In Stephenson County, 21% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Health coverage gaps: 5.2% of Stephenson County residents are uninsured.
| Stephenson County | vs Illinois | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.7% | -17.1 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Median age | 45.3 | +6.3 yrs | +3.8 yrs |
| Work from home | 10.3% | -5.5 pts | +1.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | -3.1 pts | +2.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.4% | -2.2 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | +2.1 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | -1.7 pts | -2.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | -1.5 pts | -0.1 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 5.6% |
Steps before you apply in Stephenson County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Stephenson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Illinois.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Stephenson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Stephenson County resident can confirm its license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Nationally, Stephenson County residents can file with the CFPB. The Illinois guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Stephenson County
The Illinois guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Stephenson County household make?
About $64,043 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 23% below the Illinois median.
How does Stephenson County rent compare with Illinois?
$798 locally versus $1,274 for the state, 37% below.
I live near Freeport. Which guide is mine?
This one. Freeport and the rest of Stephenson County have no separate city guide.
Are Stephenson 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Stephenson County residents?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation licenses consumer lenders in Illinois; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.