69 / 100

Williamson County, IL

RANK #306 / 996  ·  POP 67,120  ·  IL

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.5%

Williamson County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Williamson County?

Marion, the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, is known for its local restaurants, including Italian and barbecue establishments. Located in Southern Illinois, often called "Little Egypt," the county is approximately two hours southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The community offers a slower pace of life with access to outdoor recreation, including Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, which provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and hunting across its 44,000 acres. Williamson County also features various local parks with walking paths and lakes. Life in Williamson County often appeals to families, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare, retail, and educational services. The county has seen investment in energy-related industries, contributing to job growth. Williamson County also participates in an Enterprise Zone program, offering tax incentives for new construction and significant renovations, which can include residential properties.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.0x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.3%

Below national median

Home Prices
+2.0%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
1.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Williamson County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
67,120
-0.22% YoY
Median Household Income
$60,325
Median Home Value
$139,500
+1.98% 12mo
Median Rent
$824
Average Annual Pay
$53,081
+5.1% YoY
Employment
28,465
+0.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4324
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.29%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$170,300
Days on Market
79
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.7
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
19.6%
Listings w/ Price Drops
15.8%
Building Permits (2024)
138
Single-Family Permits
80

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$540M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Marion North Battery Storage
Unknown
$200M Planned
Ordill Battery Storage
Unknown
$190M Planned
Illinois 37 Resurfacing and Roundabout
Illinois Department of Transportation
$50M Planned
Oasis Sports Complex
Unknown
$50M Proposed
Walker's Bluff Casino Resort Expansion
Walker's Bluff Casino Resort
$50M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.3% 42 percentile
Population Growth -0.2% 20 percentile
Income Growth +10.3% 84 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.6% 19 percentile
Home Price Change +2.0% 59 percentile
Rent Growth +8.6% 96 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 68 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Williamson County, IL a good place to move to?

Williamson County has a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, ranking #306 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $60,325, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Williamson County affordable?

The median home value in Williamson County is $139,500 with median rent at $824/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4324, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Williamson County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Williamson County?

Yes — 4.29% of Williamson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Calhoun County, MI 79 Columbia County, NY 79 Jefferson County, NY 79 Racine County, WI 79 Lawrence County, OH 79 Adams County, PA 79 Rockland County, NY 79 Leavenworth County, KS 79