Elections
Montgomery County, IL, with about 17,493 residents, had roughly 12,500 registered voters in the 2020 general election. Voters participate in federal, state, and local elections, including referendums on local issues. In 2020, 58% voted Republican and 41% Democrat in the presidential race. There are 24 designated polling locations across the county. The Montgomery County Clerk administers elections, ensuring compliance with state law. Both Republican and Democratic parties have active local committees, with voter turnout averaging 65%. Common ballot issues include school funding and infrastructure improvements.
Education, Employment and Housing
Montgomery County, IL, serves around 2,800 K-12 students across 11 public schools, including two high schools (Hillsboro and Litchfield). The high school graduation rate is approximately 86.4%, while 15.8% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national average. Average test scores hover near the state median. Safety initiatives and career-readiness programs are present, although advanced coursework options are limited. Adult education opportunities are available through local community colleges and extension programs.
As of 2022, Montgomery County, IL, has an employment rate of approximately 56%. Major industries include Health Care & Social Assistance (21.4%), Manufacturing (17.7%), and Retail Trade (13.1%). The leading occupations are in production, office support, and health-related fields. Around 80% of employed residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 25 minutes; over 60% work outside the county, primarily traveling to neighboring Macoupin and Sangamon Counties.
Montgomery County, IL, has a homeownership rate of about 71%, with a median home value around $101,000 in 2023. Median rent is approximately $700 per month. The market has remained stable with modest growth, and 68% of homes are single-family houses, alongside some multi-family units and apartments. Neighborhoods like Hillsboro and Litchfield are popular for residents. Property tax rates average 2.2%, equating to about $2,200 annually on a median-valued home.
County Crime & Safety
Montgomery County, IL, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported 145 property crimes and 18 violent crimes per 10,000 residents, according to Illinois State Police data. The majority of incidents involve theft and burglary, while violent offenses remain uncommon. Crime reporting is handled by local law enforcement, contributing to high clearance rates. Community safety initiatives and neighborhood watch programs are active, contributing to a downward trend in overall crime rates over the past five years.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Montgomery County, IL, had a population of 28,288. The median age was about 42 years, with 49.6% male and 50.4% female residents. Racially, the county was predominantly White (94.7%), with smaller percentages of African American (2.0%), two or more races (2.2%), and other races. Hispanic or Latino individuals comprised 1.7% of the population, reflecting limited racial and ethnic diversity in the county.
Popular names
- Dennis Held
- James Kull
- Michael Jones
- James White
- Robert Smith
- David Jenkins
- John Sharp
- Mary Smith
- Richard Smith
- Robert Durbin
- Robert Odle
- William Carlyle
- Adam Anderson
- Allen Ellsworth
- Andrew Jones
- Brandon Kirby
- Brandon White
- David White
- Jeremy Graham
- John Smith
- Julie Jones
- Michael Glenn
- Michael Miller
- Michelle Brown
- Paul White
- William Johnson
- Andrew White
- Ashley White
- Caleb Brown
- Charles Compton
- Charles Jarman
- Cleveland Plunkett
- Corey Lipe
- David Davis
- Douglas White
- Dustin Johnson
- Edward Butler
- Forrest Lipe
- Gary Watson
- George Thompson
- Gregory Hilt
- Jacob Jones
- James Smith
- Jason Robinson
- Jennifer Anderson
- Jerald Smith
- John Groves
- Joseph Blevins
- Justin Brown
- Karen Allen
- Kenneth Thrasher
- Larry Johnson
- Larry Miller
- Lisa Quinn
- Lisa White
- Lynn Eyman
- Mark Taylor
- Mary Brown
- Michael Collins
- Michael Davis
Other Counties in Illinois
- Adams
- Alexander
- Bond
- Boone
- Brown
- Bureau
- Calhoun
- Carroll
- Cass
- Champaign
- Christian
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Coles
- Cook
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Dekalb
- Dewitt
- Douglas
- Dupage
- Edgar
- Edwards
- Effingham
- Fayette
- Ford
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallatin
- Greene
- Grundy
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Henderson
- Henry
- Iroquois
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Jersey
- Jo Daviess
- Johnson
- Kane
- Kankakee
- Kendall
- Knox
- La Salle
- Lake
- Lawrence