Americans on the whole were doing well financially heading into 2020, with major markers like unemployment reaching 50-year lows. The pandemic changed all that: During the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year, our nation's real GDP fell by a whopping 31.4%, a number that hasn't been seen since the Great Depression. Since then the GDP has recovered, the first quarter of 2022 was 11% above the fourth quarter of 2019.
While GDP has recovered since the height of the pandemic, wage growth has not kept pace with inflation. In 2021 average hourly wages increased 4.7% while there was 7% inflation, meaning the worker's purchasing power dropped by 2.4%.
Where you live can make a big impact on your financial situation. The highest earning county in the U.S. earns $147,111, while the lowest earns $22,292. Stacker compiled a list of the lowest-earning counties in Illinois using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the Census' 2020 5-year estimate median household income.
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Illinois
1 / 50
#50. Johnson County
- Median household income: $55,363
--- 19.1% below state average, 14.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.3%
--- #1,391 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.3%
--- #1,835 highest among all counties nationwide
2 / 50
#49. Randolph County
- Median household income: $55,319
--- 19.2% below state average, 14.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.4%
--- #1,543 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.2%
--- #1,831 highest among all counties nationwide
3 / 50
#48. Winnebago County
- Median household income: $55,310
--- 19.2% below state average, 14.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 23.3%
--- #1,094 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.2%
--- #1,830 highest among all counties nationwide
4 / 50
#47. Adams County
- Median household income: $55,052
--- 19.5% below state average, 15.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.8%
--- #1,311 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.8%
--- #1,810 highest among all counties nationwide
5 / 50
#46. Richland County
- Median household income: $55,032
--- 19.6% below state average, 15.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.4%
--- #1,536 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.6%
--- #1,806 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Most common dog breeds available for adoption in Illinois
6 / 50
#45. Montgomery County
- Median household income: $54,886
--- 19.8% below state average, 15.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.6%
--- #1,506 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.5%
--- #1,788 highest among all counties nationwide
7 / 50
#44. Iroquois County
- Median household income: $54,445
--- 20.4% below state average, 16.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.5%
--- #1,690 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.5%
--- #1,744 highest among all counties nationwide
8 / 50
#43. Warren County
- Median household income: $54,291
--- 20.7% below state average, 16.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.2%
--- #1,575 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 8.3%
--- #1,729 highest among all counties nationwide
9 / 50
#42. Champaign County
- Median household income: $53,936
--- 21.2% below state average, 17.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 25.9%
--- #786 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.7%
--- #1,692 highest among all counties nationwide
10 / 50
#41. Cass County
- Median household income: $53,899
--- 21.2% below state average, 17.1% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.2%
--- #1,933 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.2%
--- #1,686 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: The scoop on Illinois' ice cream preferences, according to Instacart
11 / 50
#40. Stark County
- Median household income: $53,828
--- 21.3% below state average, 17.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.2%
--- #1,933 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.4%
--- #1,676 highest among all counties nationwide
12 / 50
#39. Edwards County
- Median household income: $53,801
--- 21.4% below state average, 17.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.4%
--- #2,072 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.7%
--- #1,673 highest among all counties nationwide
13 / 50
#38. Macon County
- Median household income: $53,725
--- 21.5% below state average, 17.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.0%
--- #1,459 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.7%
--- #1,661 highest among all counties nationwide
14 / 50
#37. Bond County
- Median household income: $53,568
--- 21.7% below state average, 17.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.4%
--- #1,376 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.4%
--- #1,646 highest among all counties nationwide
15 / 50
#36. Lawrence County
16 / 50
#35. Morgan County
- Median household income: $53,002
--- 22.5% below state average, 18.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.7%
--- #1,315 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.0%
--- #1,593 highest among all counties nationwide
17 / 50
#34. Carroll County
- Median household income: $52,813
--- 22.8% below state average, 18.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.4%
--- #1,543 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.3%
--- #1,567 highest among all counties nationwide
18 / 50
#33. Fulton County
- Median household income: $52,243
--- 23.7% below state average, 19.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.8%
--- #1,298 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.5%
--- #1,509 highest among all counties nationwide
19 / 50
#32. Clay County
- Median household income: $52,167
--- 23.8% below state average, 19.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.8%
--- #1,637 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.9%
--- #1,497 highest among all counties nationwide
20 / 50
#31. Christian County
- Median household income: $52,120
--- 23.8% below state average, 19.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.2%
--- #1,933 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.0%
--- #1,486 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: See the most extreme temperatures in Illinois history
21 / 50
#30. Williamson County
- Median household income: $52,076
--- 23.9% below state average, 19.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.5%
--- #1,352 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.1%
--- #1,482 highest among all counties nationwide
22 / 50
#29. Greene County
- Median household income: $51,746
--- 24.4% below state average, 20.4% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.2%
--- #1,410 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 12.0%
--- #1,430 highest among all counties nationwide
23 / 50
#28. Jefferson County
- Median household income: $51,662
--- 24.5% below state average, 20.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.0%
--- #1,784 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #1,413 highest among all counties nationwide
24 / 50
#27. Union County
- Median household income: $51,655
--- 24.5% below state average, 20.5% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.0%
--- #1,784 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.6%
--- #1,411 highest among all counties nationwide
25 / 50
#26. Perry County
- Median household income: $51,616
--- 24.6% below state average, 20.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.7%
--- #1,656 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.8%
--- #1,406 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Coldest Octobers in Illinois since 1895
26 / 50
#25. Schuyler County
- Median household income: $51,376
--- 24.9% below state average, 21.0% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.9%
--- #2,165 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 7.4%
--- #1,369 highest among all counties nationwide
27 / 50
#24. Massac County
- Median household income: $51,195
--- 25.2% below state average, 21.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.7%
--- #2,004 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.2%
--- #1,347 highest among all counties nationwide
28 / 50
#23. Crawford County
- Median household income: $50,968
--- 25.5% below state average, 21.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.1%
--- #1,424 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.5%
--- #1,313 highest among all counties nationwide
29 / 50
#22. Mason County
- Median household income: $50,883
--- 25.6% below state average, 21.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.7%
--- #1,492 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.8%
--- #1,306 highest among all counties nationwide
30 / 50
#21. Hardin County
- Median household income: $50,847
--- 25.7% below state average, 21.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.4%
--- #2,247 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.4%
--- #1,302 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Illinois
31 / 50
#20. Ford County
- Median household income: $50,582
--- 26.1% below state average, 22.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 21.0%
--- #1,445 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,273 highest among all counties nationwide
32 / 50
#19. Stephenson County
- Median household income: $50,466
--- 26.2% below state average, 22.4% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.1%
--- #1,768 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.1%
--- #1,267 highest among all counties nationwide
33 / 50
#18. Wayne County
- Median household income: $50,205
--- 26.6% below state average, 22.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.2%
--- #2,473 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 10.5%
--- #1,231 highest among all counties nationwide
34 / 50
#17. Marion County
- Median household income: $49,925
--- 27.0% below state average, 23.2% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.7%
--- #2,002 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 11.7%
--- #1,198 highest among all counties nationwide
35 / 50
#16. Wabash County
- Median household income: $48,878
--- 28.6% below state average, 24.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 20.5%
--- #1,520 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 9.1%
--- #1,082 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Illinois
36 / 50
#15. Edgar County
- Median household income: $48,543
--- 29.1% below state average, 25.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 14.7%
--- #2,553 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.8%
--- #1,054 highest among all counties nationwide
37 / 50
#14. White County
- Median household income: $48,303
--- 29.4% below state average, 25.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.1%
--- #2,120 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.2%
--- #1,034 highest among all counties nationwide
38 / 50
#13. Vermilion County
- Median household income: $46,842
--- 31.5% below state average, 27.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.5%
--- #2,042 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.1%
--- #895 highest among all counties nationwide
39 / 50
#12. Pike County
- Median household income: $46,605
--- 31.9% below state average, 28.3% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.7%
--- #1,839 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.7%
--- #877 highest among all counties nationwide
40 / 50
#11. Coles County
- Median household income: $46,411
--- 32.2% below state average, 28.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.8%
--- #1,986 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.5%
--- #857 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: See how popular pumpkin spice is in Illinois
41 / 50
#10. Fayette County
- Median household income: $45,634
--- 33.3% below state average, 29.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.5%
--- #1,874 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 13.6%
--- #784 highest among all counties nationwide
42 / 50
#9. Knox County
- Median household income: $44,464
--- 35.0% below state average, 31.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.0%
--- #2,330 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 15.7%
--- #691 highest among all counties nationwide
43 / 50
#8. Saline County
- Median household income: $43,928
--- 35.8% below state average, 32.4% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 16.9%
--- #2,170 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 16.4%
--- #644 highest among all counties nationwide
44 / 50
#7. Franklin County
- Median household income: $43,671
--- 36.2% below state average, 32.8% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.7%
--- #2,395 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 17.4%
--- #620 highest among all counties nationwide
45 / 50
#6. McDonough County
- Median household income: $43,591
--- 36.3% below state average, 32.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 19.5%
--- #1,690 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 19.2%
--- #616 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Highest scoring NBA players born in Illinois
46 / 50
#5. Pope County
- Median household income: $43,140
--- 37.0% below state average, 33.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 18.4%
--- #1,892 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 21.8%
--- #583 highest among all counties nationwide
47 / 50
#4. Gallatin County
- Median household income: $43,092
--- 37.0% below state average, 33.7% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 15.5%
--- #2,430 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.0%
--- #580 highest among all counties nationwide
48 / 50
#3. Jackson County
- Median household income: $39,689
--- 42.0% below state average, 38.9% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 17.4%
--- #2,072 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 20.0%
--- #335 highest among all counties nationwide
49 / 50
#2. Pulaski County
- Median household income: $37,308
--- 45.5% below state average, 42.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 8.6%
--- #3,077 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 19.0%
--- #227 highest among all counties nationwide
50 / 50
#1. Alexander County
- Median household income: $34,709
--- 49.3% below state average, 46.6% below national average
- Households earning over $100k: 9.0%
--- #3,063 highest among all counties nationwide
- Households earning less than $15k: 18.7%
--- #133 highest among all counties nationwide
You may also like: Most popular diamond shapes in Illinois
