Williamson County, Illinois: commercial real estate data.
Williamson County, Illinois had an estimated 67,064 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,154, across 420 square miles. County output reached $3.99 bn in 2024, 1,597 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 42 7(a) approvals worth $18.0 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Williamson County
How many people live in Williamson County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202466,876
- Households28,983
- Average household size2.31
- Median household income$65,604
- Median age41.6
- Median gross rent$930 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$156,400
- Home value to household income2.4 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher26.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree10.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over48,287
- Population under 1814,227
- Share under 1821.3 percent
- Population 65 and over13,136
- Share 65 and over19.6 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6439,513
- Civilian labor force31,805
- Unemployment rate5.0 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.4 percent
- Rank by population among Illinois counties22nd of 102
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included820th of 3,222
Williamson County is the 22nd largest of 102 Illinois counties by population. A median home costs 2.4 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.3 percent against 19.6 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Williamson County
Is Williamson County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202467,064
- Census 2020 base population67,154
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.13 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024327
- Births, 2024602
- Deaths, 2024837
- Natural change, 2024-235
- Net domestic migration, 2024422
- Net international migration, 2024134
- Total net migration, 2024556
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024584
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1883rd of 3,144
The county has lost 0.13 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Williamson County
Where are people moving to Williamson County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving1,760
- People arriving, from those returns3,125
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,667
- Net household movement93
- Adjusted gross income arriving$89.8 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-4.9 m
- Average income of an arriving household$51,024
- Average income of a leaving household$56,829
- Largest single originJackson County (316 households)
- Largest single destinationFranklin County (267 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | 316 | 555 | $15.8 m |
| Franklin County | 250 | 443 | $11.3 m |
| Johnson County | 77 | 149 | $4.2 m |
| Saline County | 72 | 128 | $3.5 m |
| Union County | 42 | 66 | $1.8 m |
| Jefferson County | 35 | 58 | $1.4 m |
| Perry County | 32 | 57 | $2.0 m |
| Cook County | 27 | 45 | $2.9 m |
Households arriving report $5,805 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Jackson County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Williamson County
What is the Williamson County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.99 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.80 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.0 percent
- GDP change over five years34.0 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Illinois areas BEA publishes24th of 102
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes813th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$59,613
Output grew 5.0 percent in the latest year and 34.0 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Williamson County
Employment by industry in Williamson County
- Covered employment, annual average28,465
- Establishments reporting1,404
- Average annual pay$53,081
- Average weekly wage$1,021
- Health care and social assistance, employment5,537
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$58,247
- Manufacturing, employment3,487
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$58,515
- Retail trade, employment3,235
- Retail trade, average annual pay$38,013
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,223
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$25,768
- Finance and insurance, employment1,509
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,230
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 5,537 | 150 | $58,247 |
| Manufacturing | 3,487 | 49 | $58,515 |
| Retail trade | 3,235 | 190 | $38,013 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,223 | 150 | $25,768 |
| Finance and insurance | 1,509 | 92 | $61,415 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,230 | 70 | $38,648 |
| Construction | 1,046 | 152 | $62,501 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 797 | 51 | $50,975 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,537 jobs, 19.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Williamson County
How many businesses are in Williamson County?
- Establishments, all industries1,597
- Employment at those establishments26,291
- Annual payroll$1.41 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents23.9
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Williamson County
Building permits in Williamson County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024138
- Declared construction value permitted$19.4 m
- Single family units authorized80
- Multifamily units authorized58
- Multifamily share of units42.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$140,662
- Units authorized per 1,000 households4.8
Multifamily is 42.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Williamson County
SBA loans in Williamson County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded42
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$18.0 m
- Average 7(a) approval$429,643
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$20,650
- 90th percentile approval$892,300
- Largest single approval$3,430,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)332
- Jobs per approval7.9
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active17
- Distinct industries receiving approvals31
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer9.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms4
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter36
- Franchise loans1
- Franchise share of approvals2.4 percent
- Most active lenderU.S. Bank, National Association (12)
- 504 approvals recorded17
- 504 gross approval dollars$20.5 m
- Average 504 approval$1,203,176
- Median 504 approval$1,227,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval16.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved13.3
- Most active CDCSmall Business Growth Corporation (12)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$38.5 m
The average approval of $429,643 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 9.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Williamson County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Williamson County
Do SBA loans in Williamson County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded9
- Paid in full9
- Charged off0
- Status: Cancelled6
- Status: Exempt from disclosure26
- Status: Paid in full9
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 9 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Williamson County
SBA lending by place in Williamson County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending6
- Marion, approvals29
- Carterville, approvals6
- Johnston City, approvals4
- Thompsonville, approvals1
- Herrin, approvals1
- Pittsburg, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Marion | 29 | $12,906,400 |
| Carterville | 6 | $3,820,600 |
| Johnston City | 4 | $961,800 |
| Thompsonville | 1 | $266,700 |
| Herrin | 1 | $79,500 |
| Pittsburg | 1 | $10,000 |
Marion accounts for 29 approvals against 6 in Carterville. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Williamson County
How large is Williamson County?
- Land area420 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Illinois counties68th of 102
- Width, east to west24.5 mi
- Height, north to south18.4 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land159
- Establishments per square mile3.80
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Williamson County
Flood risk in Williamson County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Williamson County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 170934
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book11
- Of those, participating in the NFIP8
- NFIP participation rate72.7 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Williamson County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Williamson County (community 170934), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Williamson County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 72.7 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Williamson County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Williamson County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202466,876
- Households28,983
- Average household size2.31
- Median household income$65,604
- Median age41.6
Common questions
Williamson County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Williamson County, Illinois?
The Census Bureau estimates 67,064 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 66,876, in 28,983 households, ranking 22nd of 102 Illinois counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Williamson County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.13 percent since the 2020 census base of 67,154, to 67,064 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 602 births against 837 deaths, with net migration of 556. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Williamson County?
$65,604. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $156,400, which is 2.4 times income, and median gross rent is $930 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Williamson County?
1,597 establishments, employing 26,291 people with an annual payroll of $1.41 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Williamson County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 5,537 jobs, 19.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 28,465 jobs at an average annual pay of $53,081, or $1,021 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Williamson County?
42 7(a) approvals totaling $18.0 m since FY2020, across 17 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 17 504 approvals worth $20.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Williamson County?
138 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $19.4 m. Multifamily was 42.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Williamson County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Williamson County come from?
The largest single origin is Jackson County, with 316 households. Arriving households report an average income of $51,024 against $56,829 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Williamson County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Williamson County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Williamson County
Cities and places in Williamson.
18 Census places lie wholly or partly in Williamson County. All 18 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | city | 16,836 | 29 | Wholly in this county |
| Herrin | city | 12,226 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Carterville | city | 5,818 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Johnston City | city | 3,327 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Crainville | village | 1,641 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cambria | village | 1,300 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Energy | village | 1,050 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hurst | city | 700 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Pittsburg | village | 682 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Stonefort | village | 422 | None recorded | 39.6 percent here, 60.4 percent Saline County |
| Crab Orchard | CDP | 394 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bush | village | 354 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Creal Springs | city | 324 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Whiteash | CDP | 301 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Spillertown | village | 246 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Blairsville | CDP | 231 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Colp | village | 223 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Freeman Spur | village | 149 | None recorded | 49.0 percent here, 51.0 percent Franklin County |
A further 1 of the county's 42 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Williamson County, the largest being Thompsonville (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby