These southern Illinois counties are among 10 poorest in the state, ranking indicates

Meredith Howard
·2 min read

Eight southern Illinois counties were recently named among the poorest in the state, according to financial website SmartAsset.

The report named St. Clair County the 28th wealthiest in the Land of Lincoln, but several areas farther south didn’t fare as well.

Alexander County has the lowest median income in the state at $39,871 and the lowest median home value at $30,498, according to SmartAsset. More than 21% of the county’s population lives in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

SmartAsset used sources such as the Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking.

Statewide, Illinois’ median income is $72,563, according to the Census Bureau, and 12.1% of the state’s residents live in poverty.

The poorest counties in Illinois

Here’s how the 10 poorest counties in Illinois compare, according to SmartAsset:

1. Alexander County

2. Pulaski County

3. Franklin County

4. Saline County

5. Gallatin County

6. Hardin County

7. Vermilion County

8. Knox County

9. Wabash County

10. Lawrence County