1st Advantage MortgageWinnebago County (283,292 residents) has a $65,837 median household income and $1,021 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. 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
- Getting oriented in Winnebago County
- Work, industries and travel time in Winnebago County
- Homes and rents, Winnebago County
- Paychecks and income spread in Winnebago County
- Winnebago County against other Illinois counties
- The communities that make up Winnebago County
- The counties around Winnebago County
- Winnebago County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Debt-to-income, Winnebago County edition
- Local borrowing considerations for Winnebago County
- Illinois rules that apply in Winnebago County
- Four steps for Winnebago County borrowers
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Winnebago County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Winnebago County's population at 283,292; only 6 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Winnebago County spans 513 square miles; with 283,292 people, that is 552.2 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Rockford, IL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (10 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Rockford, with about 147,521 residents, or 52% of the county.
Work, industries and travel time in Winnebago County
Top Winnebago County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 19%. Relative to Illinois (11%), manufacturing is 7 points bigger in Winnebago County (19%). The survey's unemployment rate for Winnebago County averages 7.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 11%; under 15 minutes: 31%.
| Where residents work | Winnebago County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.8% | +7.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.5% | -4.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.2% | +0.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Winnebago County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Homes and rents, Winnebago County
$1,021 a month is the median gross rent in Winnebago County, 20% below the state. By the Census definition, 50% of Winnebago County renters are cost-burdened. Winnebago County homes are worth $164,500 at the median, a 2.5-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 66%, renters 34%. Median construction year: 1971. Against the median U.S. county, Winnebago County rent is 16% above.
| Measure | Winnebago County | Illinois | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $164,500 | $263,300 | 38% lower |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | -3.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $1,021/mo | $1,274/mo | 20% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 48% | +1.9 pts |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | -1.2 pts |
Paychecks and income spread in Winnebago County
At $65,837, the typical Winnebago County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 59th of 102.
| Households earning | Winnebago County | +/- vs Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.0% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.5% | -7.3 pts |
26% under $35,000 and 31% at $100,000 or more: that is the Winnebago County income split. Census counts 15.6% of Winnebago County residents in poverty, against 11.8% across Illinois. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Winnebago County median.
Winnebago County against other Illinois counties
The 3 Winnebago County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Illinois, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Illinois counties match Winnebago County on population: 283,292 here, 12,694,798 for the state, ranking 7th highest of 102. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Winnebago County sits near the top of Illinois at 7.3%, 9th highest of 102. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- On the share of mobile homes, Winnebago County sits near the bottom of Illinois at 1.3%, 9th lowest of 102. Site-built housing dominates, which matters for equity-based credit.
The communities that make up Winnebago County
231,848 of Winnebago County's 283,292 residents live in its 12 Census places (82%); the 12 largest are listed. Incomes vary by place: $119,058 at the median in Rockton, $54,752 in Rockford. No Winnebago County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | city | 147,521 | $54,752 | $985 | 7 mi |
| Loves Park | city | 23,502 | $61,868 | $1,120 | 8 mi |
| Machesney Park | village | 22,630 | $75,489 | $1,102 | 7 mi |
| Roscoe | village | 10,706 | $93,036 | $1,437 | 10 mi |
| Rockton | village | 7,974 | $119,058 | $914 | 9 mi |
| South Beloit | city | 7,946 | $78,616 | $972 | 12 mi |
| Winnebago | village | 2,981 | $92,614 | $992 | 6 mi |
| Lake Summerset | CDP | 2,364 | $108,355 | $1,318 | 14 mi |
| Pecatonica | village | 2,024 | $73,162 | $1,038 | 10 mi |
| Durand | village | 1,592 | $65,688 | $796 | 11 mi |
| Westlake Village | CDP | 1,414 | $116,563 | n/a | 7 mi |
| New Milford | village | 1,194 | $76,458 | $744 | 13 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
The counties around Winnebago County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. McHenry County leads the group on income ($104,802), Stephenson County trails ($64,043), and Winnebago County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in Wisconsin. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Winnebago County resident follows Illinois rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago County | - | $65,837 | $1,021/mo | 66% |
| Boone County, IL | 17 mi | $84,571 | $1,041/mo | 82% |
| Ogle County, IL | 22 mi | $82,132 | $936/mo | 75% |
| Rock County, WI | 23 mi | $75,673 | $1,037/mo | 71% |
| Stephenson County, IL | 26 mi | $64,043 | $798/mo | 71% |
| Green County, WI | 33 mi | $82,852 | $867/mo | 76% |
| McHenry County, IL | 36 mi | $104,802 | $1,401/mo | 83% |
Winnebago County residents: age, schooling, coverage
In Winnebago County, 25% of adults have at least a four-year degree (38% in Illinois). Uninsured, Winnebago County: 6.2%; Illinois: 6.9%.
| Residents | Winnebago County | Difference from Illinois | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.2% | -12.6 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Work from home | 9.8% | -6.0 pts | +1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | +3.8 pts | +2.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.6% | -2.4 pts | +3.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.2% | +1.6 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | +1.4 pts | +2.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.2% | -0.7 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Median age | 39.6 | +0.6 yrs | -1.9 yrs |
| Commute length | Winnebago County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.4% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Debt-to-income, Winnebago County edition
How much room does a median Winnebago 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, Winnebago County: $5,486
- Rent at the median, $1,021, takes 19% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $954 a month
Homeowners in Winnebago County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Winnebago County
What the Winnebago County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Rent squeeze. 50% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Winnebago County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Illinois rules that apply in Winnebago County
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Illinois license. Nationally, Winnebago County residents can file with the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Illinois guide.
Four steps for Winnebago County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Keep exploring
No city in Winnebago County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Winnebago County rank on income in Illinois?
59th of 102, with a median of $65,837. The state median is $83,390.
What do renters pay in Winnebago County?
$1,021 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Winnebago County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton and 7 more.
Can Winnebago 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.
What agency protects Winnebago County borrowers?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at the state level and the CFPB federally.