1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Wabash County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $57,086. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Wabash County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Wabash County by the numbers
- Work, industries and travel time in Wabash County
- Wabash County at the extremes
- How much Wabash County households make
- Homes and rents, Wabash County
- Wabash County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Wabash County
- Debt-to-income at Wabash County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Wabash County
- Wabash County demographics against Illinois
- Illinois rules that apply in Wabash County
- Before you sign
- Beyond Wabash County
- Frequently asked questions
Wabash County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wabash County's population at 11,119; only 85 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 223 square miles, that works out to roughly 49.8 residents per square mile. Metro status: none; Wabash County sits outside the 2023 OMB metro areas. Largest place: Mount Carmel, about 6,854 residents (62% of Wabash County); 4 Census places in all.
Work, industries and travel time in Wabash County
Education and health care (24%), manufacturing (20%) and retail trade (11%) lead Wabash County's job mix. Relative to Illinois (11%), manufacturing is 8 points bigger in Wabash County (20%). 4.4% of Wabash County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 14%; under 15 minutes: 41%. 521 Wabash County households, 11.0%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Wabash County share | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.9% | +8.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.9% | +6.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | -0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Wabash County at the extremes
The 3 Wabash County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Illinois, and what each means for a borrower:
- On households without a vehicle, Wabash County sits near the top of Illinois at 11.0%, 5th highest of 102. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- Wabash County ranks 11th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for the share of workers who work from home: 4.7%, against 15.9% statewide. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
- Wabash County ranks 15th lowest of 102 Illinois counties for median household income: $57,086, against $83,390 statewide. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
How much Wabash County households make
At $57,086, the typical Wabash County household income is 13% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Wabash County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.3% | +9.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.4% | -4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -8.5 pts |
Six-figure households (29%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (30%) in Wabash County. 16.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.8%). For a borrower in Wabash 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.
Homes and rents, Wabash County
Half of Wabash County renters pay more than $794 a month and half pay less; the Illinois midpoint is $1,274. About 4 in 10 Wabash County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Wabash County homes are worth $104,900 at the median, a 1.8-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 76%, renters 24%.
| Cost | Wabash County | Illinois figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 76% | 67% | +9.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% | 2.3% | +8.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 48% | -8.0 pts |
| Median home value | $104,900 | $263,300 | 60% lower |
| Median gross rent | $794/mo | $1,274/mo | 38% lower |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 27% | +3.3 pts |
At a $104,900 median value, many Wabash County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Wabash County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Wabash County's, from 11 to 29 miles away. Richest neighbor: Posey County, $78,129. Poorest: Lawrence County, $55,324. Wabash County: $57,086. The list crosses into Indiana, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash County | - | $57,086 | $794/mo | 76% |
| Edwards County, IL | 11 mi | $60,519 | $811/mo | 79% |
| Gibson County, IN | 17 mi | $67,573 | $935/mo | 77% |
| Lawrence County, IL | 20 mi | $55,324 | $836/mo | 72% |
| Richland County, IL | 23 mi | $62,455 | $805/mo | 74% |
| Knox County, IN | 28 mi | $61,237 | $796/mo | 68% |
| Posey County, IN | 29 mi | $78,129 | $782/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Wabash County
7,698 of Wabash County's 11,119 residents live in its 4 Census places (69%); the 4 largest are listed. Live in one of these Wabash County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carmel | city | 6,854 | $47,009 | $804 | 4 mi |
| Allendale | village | 499 | $60,000 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Bellmont | village | 196 | $55,000 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Keensburg | village | 149 | $73,409 | n/a | 7 mi |
Debt-to-income at Wabash County's medians
Here is the Wabash County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,757 gross per month ($57,086 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($794)
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,109 a month
Homeowners in Wabash County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Borrowing situations common in Wabash County
Where the Wabash County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Wabash County borrower sees (free reports).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Wabash County demographics against Illinois
19% of Wabash County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 4.2% of Wabash County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Wabash County | +/- Illinois | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | +4.2 yrs | +1.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.6% | -19.3 pts | -3.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.2% | -2.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.2% | -2.7 pts | -3.7 pts |
| No vehicle | 11.0% | 0.0 pts | +5.6 pts |
| Work from home | 4.7% | -11.2 pts | -4.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | +4.9 pts | +3.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | -1.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Wabash County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.4% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Illinois rules that apply in Wabash County
Wabash County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Nationally, Wabash County residents can file with the CFPB. The Illinois page has statewide figures to set beside Wabash County's.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Wabash County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Wabash County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Beyond Wabash County
No city in Wabash County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $57,086 a good income in Wabash County?
It is the county median, so half of Wabash County households earn more and half less; 29% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Wabash County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $794 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Wabash County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 76% of Wabash County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
I live in a small Wabash County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Mount Carmel, Allendale, Bellmont, Keensburg.
Can Wabash County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Illinois county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.