Counties with the most renters in Illinois
Written by:
February 24, 2021
Updated on February 25, 2021
Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
Counties with the most renters in Illinois
All cities are made up of a mix of homeowners and renters, with 58.6% of Americans owning their own homes and 30.4% rending in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the American Census Bureau. In cities, there tend to be higher rates of renters due to high property values and influxes of young people who flock to urban areas after college to enter the workforce.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with most renters in Illinois using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by percent of housing units occupied by renters as of 2019 5-year estimates. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#30. Ogle County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 26.8%
- 2019 median gross rent: $745 (+10.5% change in rent since 2015)
--- #26 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,340 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 28.4%
--- #76 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,466 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $745 (+10.5% change in rent since 2015)
--- #26 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,340 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 28.4%
--- #76 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,466 among all counties nationwide
#29. Lake County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 27.0%
- 2019 median gross rent: $1,197 (+12.0% change in rent since 2015)
--- #3 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #178 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 37.4%
--- #35 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,220 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $1,197 (+12.0% change in rent since 2015)
--- #3 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #178 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 37.4%
--- #35 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,220 among all counties nationwide
#28. Livingston County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 27.2%
- 2019 median gross rent: $715 (+14.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #32 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,574 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.2%
--- #28 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,102 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $715 (+14.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #32 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,574 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.2%
--- #28 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,102 among all counties nationwide
#27. Logan County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 27.3%
- 2019 median gross rent: $689 (+10.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #43 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,812 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 24.8%
--- #89 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,760 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $689 (+10.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #43 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,812 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 24.8%
--- #89 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,760 among all counties nationwide
#26. Lee County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 27.7%
- 2019 median gross rent: $694 (+3.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #39 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,772 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 35.0%
--- #44 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,631 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $694 (+3.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #39 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,772 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 35.0%
--- #44 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,631 among all counties nationwide
#25. Ford County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 27.8%
- 2019 median gross rent: $676 (+10.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #51 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,938 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 31.9%
--- #59 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,087 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $676 (+10.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #51 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,938 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 31.9%
--- #59 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,087 among all counties nationwide
#24. Adams County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 28.2%
- 2019 median gross rent: $713 (+24.7% change in rent since 2015)
--- #33 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,590 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.3%
--- #47 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,726 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $713 (+24.7% change in rent since 2015)
--- #33 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,590 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.3%
--- #47 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,726 among all counties nationwide
#23. LaSalle County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 28.2%
- 2019 median gross rent: $777 (+11.0% change in rent since 2015)
--- #23 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,129 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 36.2%
--- #40 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,445 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $777 (+11.0% change in rent since 2015)
--- #23 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,129 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 36.2%
--- #40 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,445 among all counties nationwide
#22. Madison County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 28.6%
- 2019 median gross rent: $824 (+5.9% change in rent since 2015)
--- #17 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #887 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.5%
--- #15 most common among counties in Illinois, #777 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $824 (+5.9% change in rent since 2015)
--- #17 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #887 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.5%
--- #15 most common among counties in Illinois, #777 among all counties nationwide
#21. Grundy County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 28.7%
- 2019 median gross rent: $999 (+7.5% change in rent since 2015)
--- #8 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #402 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 27.5%
--- #80 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,551 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $999 (+7.5% change in rent since 2015)
--- #8 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #402 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 27.5%
--- #80 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,551 among all counties nationwide
#20. Richland County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 28.8%
- 2019 median gross rent: $566 (+6.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #93 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,816 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 28.3%
--- #77 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,476 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $566 (+6.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #93 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,816 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 28.3%
--- #77 most common among counties in Illinois, #2,476 among all counties nationwide
#19. Williamson County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 29.9%
- 2019 median gross rent: $735 (+13.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #28 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,402 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.7%
--- #45 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,676 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $735 (+13.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #28 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,402 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.7%
--- #45 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,676 among all counties nationwide
#18. Stephenson County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 30.1%
- 2019 median gross rent: $651 (+6.7% change in rent since 2015)
--- #60 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,176 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.0%
--- #49 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,764 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $651 (+6.7% change in rent since 2015)
--- #60 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,176 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 34.0%
--- #49 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,764 among all counties nationwide
#17. Vermilion County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 30.4%
- 2019 median gross rent: $685 (+7.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #46 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,848 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 35.1%
--- #43 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,616 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $685 (+7.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #46 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,848 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 35.1%
--- #43 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,616 among all counties nationwide
#16. Sangamon County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 31.1%
- 2019 median gross rent: $820 (+10.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #18 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #903 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 39.6%
--- #19 most common among counties in Illinois, #905 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $820 (+10.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #18 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #903 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 39.6%
--- #19 most common among counties in Illinois, #905 among all counties nationwide
#15. Morgan County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 31.5%
- 2019 median gross rent: $720 (+19.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #30 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,524 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 37.5%
--- #33 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,199 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $720 (+19.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #30 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,524 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 37.5%
--- #33 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,199 among all counties nationwide
#14. Macon County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 31.6%
- 2019 median gross rent: $684 (+4.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #47 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,859 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.9%
--- #13 most common among counties in Illinois, #720 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $684 (+4.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #47 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,859 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.9%
--- #13 most common among counties in Illinois, #720 among all counties nationwide
#13. Kankakee County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 32.0%
- 2019 median gross rent: $887 (+8.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #10 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #655 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 39.6%
--- #19 most common among counties in Illinois, #905 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $887 (+8.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #10 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #655 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 39.6%
--- #19 most common among counties in Illinois, #905 among all counties nationwide
#12. Rock Island County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 32.0%
- 2019 median gross rent: $748 (+10.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #25 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,325 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 32.8%
--- #56 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,961 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $748 (+10.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #25 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,325 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 32.8%
--- #56 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,961 among all counties nationwide
#11. Knox County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 33.3%
- 2019 median gross rent: $634 (+10.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #69 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,340 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 42.4%
--- #7 most common among counties in Illinois, #557 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $634 (+10.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #69 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,340 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 42.4%
--- #7 most common among counties in Illinois, #557 among all counties nationwide
#10. McDonough County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 33.7%
- 2019 median gross rent: $662 (+5.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #57 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,074 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 47.0%
--- #2 most common among counties in Illinois, #225 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $662 (+5.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #57 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #2,074 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 47.0%
--- #2 most common among counties in Illinois, #225 among all counties nationwide
#9. Winnebago County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 34.1%
- 2019 median gross rent: $799 (+6.8% change in rent since 2015)
--- #20 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #996 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.9%
--- #25 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,000 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $799 (+6.8% change in rent since 2015)
--- #20 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #996 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.9%
--- #25 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,000 among all counties nationwide
#8. St. Clair County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 34.8%
- 2019 median gross rent: $861 (+8.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #13 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #732 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 42.2%
--- #8 most common among counties in Illinois, #579 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $861 (+8.2% change in rent since 2015)
--- #13 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #732 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 42.2%
--- #8 most common among counties in Illinois, #579 among all counties nationwide
#7. Peoria County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 34.9%
- 2019 median gross rent: $798 (+11.9% change in rent since 2015)
--- #21 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,002 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.3%
--- #27 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,079 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $798 (+11.9% change in rent since 2015)
--- #21 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,002 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 38.3%
--- #27 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,079 among all counties nationwide
#6. McLean County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 35.4%
- 2019 median gross rent: $845 (+8.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #16 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #802 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 36.8%
--- #38 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,340 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $845 (+8.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #16 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #802 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 36.8%
--- #38 most common among counties in Illinois, #1,340 among all counties nationwide
#5. Coles County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 38.5%
- 2019 median gross rent: $697 (+11.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #37 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,733 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.4%
--- #17 most common among counties in Illinois, #794 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $697 (+11.3% change in rent since 2015)
--- #37 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,733 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.4%
--- #17 most common among counties in Illinois, #794 among all counties nationwide
#4. DeKalb County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 43.0%
- 2019 median gross rent: $930 (+8.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #9 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #541 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 41.6%
--- #11 most common among counties in Illinois, #647 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $930 (+8.1% change in rent since 2015)
--- #9 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #541 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 41.6%
--- #11 most common among counties in Illinois, #647 among all counties nationwide
#3. Cook County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 43.1%
- 2019 median gross rent: $1,123 (+14.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #7 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #249 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.7%
--- #14 most common among counties in Illinois, #751 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $1,123 (+14.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #7 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #249 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 40.7%
--- #14 most common among counties in Illinois, #751 among all counties nationwide
#2. Champaign County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 47.0%
- 2019 median gross rent: $882 (+8.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #11 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #671 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 44.0%
--- #5 most common among counties in Illinois, #412 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $882 (+8.4% change in rent since 2015)
--- #11 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #671 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 44.0%
--- #5 most common among counties in Illinois, #412 among all counties nationwide
#1. Jackson County
- Housing units occupied by renters: 48.5%
- 2019 median gross rent: $691 (+3.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #42 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,796 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 50.5%
--- #1 most common among counties in Illinois, #106 among all counties nationwide
- 2019 median gross rent: $691 (+3.6% change in rent since 2015)
--- #42 highest rent among counties in Illinois, #1,796 among all counties nationwide
- Renters paying over 35% of household income: 50.5%
--- #1 most common among counties in Illinois, #106 among all counties nationwide
