County population in 2024: 36,594 (41% urban, 59% rural); it was 40,045 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2020: 5,717 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2020: 5,213 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 11,437, in 2010: 4,932 Renter-occupied apartments: 4,015 (it was 3,937 in 2000, and 4,173 in 2010)
% of renters here:
26%
State:
27%
Land area: 571 sq. mi.
Water area: 12.8 sq. mi.
Population density: 64 people per square mile (average).
December 2024 cost of living index in Jefferson County: 82.1 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (23.2%), Manufacturing (17.8%), Retail trade (12.1%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2024: $2,531 (1.7%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2024: $1,675 (1.4%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2024: 13.3%
Jefferson County:
13.3%
Illinois:
11.6%
(12.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 33.5% for Black residents, 20.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 1.3% for American Indian residents, 16.9% for other race residents, 13.1% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2024: 41.6 years old
(Males: 39.6 years old, Females: 43.9 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44.5 years old, Black residents: 31.6 years old, American Indian residents: 14.7 years old, Asian residents: 43.8 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 30.7 years old, Other race residents: 47.6 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Jefferson County is $431 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $514 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $647 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Jefferson County: Rend Lake Camp (A), Bald Hill Townhall (B), Blissville Townhall (C), McClellan Townhall (D), Moores Prairie Townhall (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Jefferson County include: Oakdale Church (A), Oakland Church (B), Antioch Church (C), Panther Fork Church (D), Pleasant Grove Church (E), Pleasant Hill Church (F), Pleasant View Church (G), Primitive Church (H), Providence Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Abner Cemetery (1), Wall Farm Cemetery (2), Arnold Cemetery (3), Ward Cemetery (4), Warren Cemetery (5), Atkinson Cemetery (6), Wells Chapel Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Lakes and reservoirs: Scheller Lakes (A), Peckerwood Lake (B), Miller Lake (C), Lake Jaycee (D), Superior Lake (E), Illinois Central Reservoir (F), Raw Water Reservoir (G), Hawthorne Hills Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Novak Creek (A), Collier Creek (B), Coal Bank Creek (C), White Feather Creek (D), Buck Creek (E), East Creek (F), Bear Creek (G), Bald Hill Creek (H), Back Branch (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Jefferson County include: Rend Lake State Waterfowl Management Area (1), Rend Lake State Wildlife Refuge (2), Bonnie Public Use Area (3), Waltonville Public Use Area (4), Mount Vernon State Game Farm (5), Nason Public Use Area (6). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 1,631 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 92.3% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.2%
Number of foreign born residents: 710 (53.7% naturalized citizens)
Jefferson County:
1.9%
Whole state:
15.4%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2472010 or later
1372000 to 2009
1291990 to 1999
671980 to 1989
301970 to 1979
76Before 1970
Mean travel time to work (commute): 20 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 98.9%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 11,545
One, attached: 134
Two: 198
3 or 4: 570
5 to 9: 446
10 to 19: 429
20 to 49: 194
50 or more: 331
Mobile homes: 2,733
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 22
Housing units in Jefferson County with a mortgage: 5,157 (432 second mortgage, 0 home equity loan, 391 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 149
Here:
3.2% with mortgage
State:
97.6% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Jefferson County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
17,212
71
Mainline Protestant
2,260
20
Catholic
1,409
2
Black Protestant
1,086
7
Other
281
3
None
16,579
-
Jefferson County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 5
Jefferson County:
1.25 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.24 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Here:
0.25 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois:
0.08 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 18
Jefferson County:
4.49 / 10,000 pop.
Illinois:
2.61 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 34
This county:
8.48 / 10,000 pop.
State:
6.86 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Jefferson County:
9.0%
Illinois:
8.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Jefferson County:
27.6%
State:
25.2%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
9.8%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Jefferson County:
Average size of farms: 222 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $27,451 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $138.09 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 2.72% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 26.10% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $23,916 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 66.17% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.36% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $53,455 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 95.12% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.22 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 3.90% Corn for grain: 44521 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 12741 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 98704 harvested acres Land in orchards: 26 acres
Tornado activity:
Jefferson County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Illinois state average. It is 1866013.4 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 4 fatalities and 98 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2024.
On 1957-12-18, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 45 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages. On 2002-04-21, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 42 people and caused $4 million in damages. On 1982-03-30, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 3 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages. On 2012-03-23, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 2 people and caused $150,000 in damages. On 1973-05-07, a category F1 (max. wind speeds 73-112 mph) tornado injured 3 people On 1957-12-18, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 2 people and caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages. On 1998-04-15, a category F2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured one person and caused $450,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Jefferson County-area historical earthquake activity is above Illinois state average. It is 55% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 56.7 miles away from Jefferson County center On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi) earthquake occurred 56.6 miles away from the county center On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 66.0 miles away from the county center On 6/18/2002 at 17:37:15, a magnitude 5.0 (4.3 MB, 4.6 MW, 5.0 LG) earthquake occurred 65.7 miles away from the county center On 9/26/1990 at 13:18:51, a magnitude 5.0 (4.7 MB, 4.8 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 7.7 mi) earthquake occurred 86.0 miles away from Jefferson County center On 4/18/2008 at 15:14:16, a magnitude 4.8 (4.5 MB, 4.8 MW, 4.6 MW, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 59.0 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Illinois Covid-19, Incident Period: Jan 20, 2020 - May 11, 2023, FEMA Id: 3435, Natural disaster type: Other
Illinois Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: January 20, 2020, FEMA Id: 4489, Natural disaster type: Other
Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: April 19, 2011 to June 14, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1991: June 07, 2011, FEMA Id: 1991, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Illinois Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3230: September 07, 2005, FEMA Id: 3230, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Illinois Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: April 21, 2002 to May 23, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1416: May 21, 2002, FEMA Id: 1416, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
The number of natural disasters in Jefferson County (5) is a lot smaller than the US average (19). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 2 Emergencies Declared: 1
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (8%)
Sales and related occupations (7%)
Office and administrative support occupations (19%)
Sales and related occupations (9%)
Educational instruction, and library occupations (9%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (8%)
Healthcare support occupations (7%)
Management occupations (7%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)
Mexico (34%)
Philippines (15%)
Korea (7%)
Taiwan (5%)
China, excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan (5%)
South Africa (4%)
Thailand (4%)
English (18%)
German (17%)
American (16%)
Irish (8%)
Polish (2%)
European (2%)
Scotch-Irish (2%)
People in group quarters in Jefferson County, Illinois in 2020:
1,313 people in correctional facilities for adults
1,175 people in state prisons
138 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilitie
226 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
121 people in other noninstitutional facilities
101 people in group homes intended for adults
20 people in residential treatment centers for adults
35 people in juvenile facilities
22 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
13 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
People in group quarters in Jefferson County, Illinois in 2010:
1,844 people in state prisons
269 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
39 people in group homes intended for adults
19 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
14 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
13 people in federal detention centers
5 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
People in group quarters in Jefferson County, Illinois in 2000:
1,965 people in state prisons
338 people in nursing homes
86 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
86 people in other hospitals or wards for chronically ill
67 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
41 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
30 people in other nonhousehold living situations
24 people in homes for the mentally retarded
19 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2021 was $66,284.
4.82% of this county's 2022 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2021 ($40,873 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
4.82%
Illinois average:
5.03%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.29% relocated from other counties in Illinois ($24,798 average AGI)
1.53% relocated from other states ($16,075 average AGI)
Jefferson County:
1.53%
Illinois average:
2.13%
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2021 and 2022:
5.46% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2022 ($45,727 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.46%
Illinois average:
5.87%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.34% relocated to other counties in Illinois ($23,572 average AGI)
2.11% relocated to other states ($22,156 average AGI)
Jefferson County:
2.11%
Illinois average:
2.99%
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2021 and 2022:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 12.8 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 12.0
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 10.7 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 10.8 Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 12.0
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 5.7 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 4.2
Population without health insurance coverage in 2023: 6.5% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2023: 3.6%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Jefferson County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 7,021 (5,848 aged, 1,173 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 662 (7%)
Most common underlying causes of death in Jefferson County, Illinois in 1999 - 2019:
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (985)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (586)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (145)
Cardiac arrest, unspecified (143)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 13% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 11%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.95 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 22,301 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 470 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 75,867
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,249 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,088 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 12
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 40 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 69
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 20
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 110.6. This is more than state average.
Household type by relationship:
Households: 36,594
Male householders: 7,396 (2,215 living alone), Female householders: 7,626 (2,589 living alone)
4,773 married couples with children.
2,060 single-parent households (556 men, 1,504 women).
95.9% of residents of Jefferson speak English at home.
1.3% of residents speak Spanish at home (57% speak English very well, 7% speak English well, 30% speak English not well, 6% don't speak English at all).
1.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (37% speak English very well, 47% speak English well, 11% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).
0.9% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (51% speak English very well, 34% speak English well, 12% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $223,819,000 ($5,542 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $5,135,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $97,827,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $62,994,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $9,161,000 Federal grants: $40,606,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,815,000 ($177,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $11,415,000 ($1,761,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $771,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $5,206,000 Federal Government insurance: $16,986,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 2,467
Here:
61 per 1000 residents
State:
75 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 2,182
Here:
54 per 1000 residents
State:
43 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +70
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
+26 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +80
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
-31 per 1000 residents
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.00 millions of gallons per day (all from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.3
State:
6.4
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.5
State:
4.0
Year house built in Jefferson County, Illinois
3072020 or later
8802010 to 2019
1,8792000 to 2009
2,6111990 to 1999
2,0561980 to 1989
3,1041970 to 1979
1,3781960 to 1969
1,6511950 to 1959
1,0231940 to 1949
1,8381939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Jefferson County, Illinois
Cars and other vehicles available in Jefferson County in owner-occupied houses/condos
328no vehicle
2,5781 vehicle
4,5152 vehicles
2,2773 vehicles
7094 vehicles
4435+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Jefferson County in renter-occupied apartments
649no vehicle
2,1671 vehicle
1,0292 vehicles
2303 vehicles
764 vehicles
15+ vehicles
89.9% of Jefferson County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 37% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 69% lived in Illinois.
Jefferson County:
89.9%
State average:
89.8%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 28,932
Other state: 6,511
Northeast: 454
Midwest: 3,043
South: 2,326
West: 658
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Jefferson County
(51.6%)
(48.4%)
, Hamilton County 
, Marion County 
, Perry County 
, Washington County 
, Wayne County 
.
0.62% ($30,943 average AGI)
-31 per 1000 residents
