1st Advantage MortgageIn Williamson County, Illinois, the typical household earns $65,604 a year and the typical rent is $930. 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
- Who lives in Williamson County
- What Williamson County households earn
- Renting and owning in Williamson County
- How Williamson County residents earn a living
- Williamson County towns compared
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Williamson County median
- Who lives in Williamson County, in numbers
- Reading the Williamson County data as a borrower
- A Williamson County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Williamson County residents
- More guides for Williamson County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Williamson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Williamson County's population at 66,876; only 21 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 420 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 159 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Williamson County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 17 places in the county (14 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Marion, with about 16,836 residents, or 25% of the county.
What Williamson County households earn
Half of Williamson County households take in less than $65,604 a year and half take in more, 21% below the Illinois median of $83,390. Only 60 Illinois counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Williamson County | Gap to Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.3% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.6% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | -2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -7.8 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 13.8% of Williamson County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.442 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Williamson 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 Williamson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $930 in Williamson County versus $1,274 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. Home values center on $156,400, or 2.4 years of median income. 71% of Williamson County households own their home and 29% rent.
| Measure | Williamson County | Illinois | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $930/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,400 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 27% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 8% | n/a |
How Williamson County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Williamson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 28% of workers, followed by retail trade (13%). Compared with Illinois, the county leans toward education and health care (28% against 24%). The survey's unemployment rate for Williamson County averages 5.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Only 6.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Williamson County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.2% | +4.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.7% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -6.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Williamson County towns compared
17 Census places fall mainly inside Williamson County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 45,802 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $36,635 in Hurst to $65,461 in Crainville. Rent is cheapest in Hurst ($382) and steepest in Cambria ($1,038). No Williamson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 17.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | city | 16,836 | $56,912 | $921 | 1 mi |
| Herrin | city | 12,226 | $59,975 | $1,002 | 7 mi |
| Carterville | city | 5,818 | $62,337 | $909 | 9 mi |
| Johnston City | city | 3,327 | $42,465 | $976 | 6 mi |
| Crainville | village | 1,641 | $65,461 | $690 | 7 mi |
| Cambria | village | 1,300 | $57,756 | $1,038 | 11 mi |
| Energy | village | 1,050 | $65,357 | $638 | 6 mi |
| Hurst | city | 700 | $36,635 | $382 | 14 mi |
| Pittsburg | village | 682 | $53,203 | $1,026 | 5 mi |
| Crab Orchard | CDP | 394 | $148,906 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Bush | village | 354 | $55,357 | $838 | 13 mi |
| Creal Springs | city | 324 | $53,125 | $754 | 9 mi |
| Whiteash | CDP | 301 | $114,464 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Spillertown | village | 246 | $81,250 | n/a | 2 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 18 to 30 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Johnson County leads the group on income ($62,528), Jackson County trails ($48,763), and Williamson County out-earns 6 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County | - | $65,604 | $930/mo | 71% |
| Franklin County, IL | 18 mi | $56,740 | $803/mo | 74% |
| Johnson County, IL | 19 mi | $62,528 | $781/mo | 82% |
| Saline County, IL | 21 mi | $53,117 | $726/mo | 73% |
| Union County, IL | 24 mi | $55,728 | $648/mo | 77% |
| Jackson County, IL | 25 mi | $48,763 | $782/mo | 50% |
| Pope County, IL | 30 mi | $60,050 | $449/mo | 86% |
Budget math at the Williamson County median
How much room does a median Williamson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Williamson County: $5,467
- Rent at the median, $930, takes 17% of that
- $1,038: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $930, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who lives in Williamson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.6%, against 6.9% for Illinois.
| People and households | Williamson County | Illinois | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.2% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.2% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.6% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Williamson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
Reading the Williamson County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Williamson County borrowers.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Williamson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Consolidating cards in Williamson County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
A Williamson County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Williamson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Williamson County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Williamson County residents
Consumer lenders serving Williamson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Illinois that is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Illinois state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Williamson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Illinois guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Williamson County household make?
About $65,604 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 21% below the Illinois median.
What do renters pay in Williamson County?
$930 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Does this page cover Marion?
Yes, along with the other 16 Census places in Williamson County, such as Herrin, Carterville, Johnston City.
Can Williamson 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Williamson County?
Start with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.