Fulton County Public RecordsIllinois

Fulton County, IL has approximately 20,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections held include local, state, and federal, with recent turnout reaching 65% in general elections. The county typically offers over 30 polling locations. Administration is overseen by the County Clerk’s office, with voter registration available online or in-person. In the 2022 midterms, Republicans garnered about 60% of the vote, Democrats 35%, and 5% went to other parties. Issues such as rural infrastructure and healthcare access are key concerns. The election process is managed transparently, with updated results and polling place information posted on the county website.

Fulton County, IL, has a crime rate lower than the national average, with approximately 12.4 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crime incidents, including assault and robbery, account for about 1.7 per 1,000 residents, while property crimes, such as burglary and theft, are around 10.7 per 1,000. Law enforcement agencies encourage prompt crime reporting; the county maintains a relatively high case clearance rate. Overall, Fulton County is considered safer than 62% of U.S. counties, supporting a strong sense of security for residents.

Fulton County, IL, has 13 public school districts serving over 4,500 students, with prominent high schools like Canton and Lewistown. About 87% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 14% possess a bachelor's degree or higher. Schools maintain an average proficiency score of 28% in math and 33% in reading. School safety measures include resource officers and security protocols. Educational programs feature vocational training and dual-credit courses with Spoon River College. Adult education is supported through GED and workforce development initiatives. (Sources: Illinois Report Card, U.S. Census Bureau, 2023)

As of 2022, Fulton County, IL had an employment-population ratio of approximately 53.9%. Leading industries include health care and social assistance (employing 20.4% of the workforce), manufacturing (13.2%), and retail trade (12.7%). The most common occupations are in office and administrative support (12.8%), production (11.5%), and sales (9.5%). About 66% of workers commute outside the county for employment, with Peoria as a frequent destination. The average commute time is around 25 minutes. Unemployment in 2022 stood at 6.2%, higher than the national average.

Fulton County, IL has a homeownership rate of about 77%, with median home values around $94,000 in 2022. The median gross rent is approximately $690. Property values have remained relatively stable, increasing by roughly 3% over the past year. Housing mainly consists of single-family homes, with some apartments and mobile homes. Key neighborhoods include Canton, Lewistown, and Farmington. Property taxes average 2.1% of assessed value, translating to an annual tax of about $1,920 for a median-priced home. The area's affordability and stable market appeal to both homeowners and renters.

As of the 2020 Census, Fulton County, IL had a population of 33,609. The median age was about 43.7 years. Females slightly outnumbered males, comprising 50.6% of the population. The county is predominantly White (93.3%), with smaller communities of Black or African American (3.4%), Hispanic or Latino (2%), and other races. The population under 18 made up 19.3%, while those 65 and over accounted for 20.8%.