Adams County

Illinois · IL

#46 in Illinois
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Adams County, Illinois

Adams County scores above national median

With a composite score of 64.9, Adams County outperforms the national median of 50.0 by nearly 30%, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. This solid performance reflects a county that offers better-than-average livability across measured dimensions.

A top performer among Illinois counties

Adams County ranks above the Illinois state average composite score of 62.1, positioning it in the upper tier of livability within Illinois. The county's strength lies in balancing affordability with reasonable tax burden.

Affordability and taxes drive the score

Adams County excels with a cost score of 80.0, reflecting median home values of $155,900 and monthly rents averaging $826—both well below state averages. The tax score of 57.9 indicates an effective tax rate of 1.579%, among the lower rates in the state, easing household budgets.

Income growth remains limited

The county's income score of 25.8 is a notable gap, with median household income at $64,962—below what many Illinois counties offer. We lack data on safety, health, schools, and water quality, which would provide a fuller picture of livability.

Best for budget-conscious retirees and families

Adams County suits people prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes, making it attractive to retirees or those seeking small-town stability. The combination of cost savings and reasonable tax rates offers genuine financial breathing room, though prospective residents should research school and safety metrics separately.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax57.9Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth74.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.8Risk35.8WaterComing Soon
🏛57.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
74.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
35.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Adams County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adams County

via TaxByCounty

Adams taxes run below the national average

Adams County's effective tax rate of 1.58% sits comfortably below the national median of 2.14%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. The median tax bill here is $2,461 annually—about 9% less than the national median of $2,690—despite homeowners paying on a much smaller property base.

Rank among Illinois counties

Adams County's 1.58% effective rate beats the Illinois state average of 1.83%, positioning it as a moderately taxed county in a high-tax state. At $2,461 in median property taxes, Adams residents pay about $321 less than the state median of $2,782.

How Adams compares nearby

Among nearby counties, Adams falls in the middle ground—higher than Brown County (1.47%) but significantly lower than Boone County (2.27%). The region shows considerable variation, with effective rates ranging from 1.47% to 2.27% across comparable communities.

What a typical Adams home costs annually

The median home in Adams County is valued at $155,900, which at the 1.58% effective rate translates to roughly $2,461 in annual property taxes. For homeowners with a mortgage, that figure rises slightly to $2,553 when certain assessments are included.

Many Adams homeowners could challenge their assessment

Property tax appeals are a proven way for overassessed homeowners to reduce their annual burden, and thousands of Illinois residents successfully file each year. If you believe your Adams County home is assessed too high, a formal appeal to the county assessor's office could lower your tax bill.

Cost of Living in Adams County

via CostByCounty

Adams rents bite harder than average

Adams County renters spend 15.3% of income on rent, outpacing the national average of 14.7%. With a median household income of $64,962—nearly $10,000 below the national median—residents here stretch further to afford housing than typical American households.

Above average for Illinois renters

Adams County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly above Illinois's state average of 14.7%, placing it in the middle tier of affordability among the state's 102 counties. Median rent of $826 runs roughly even with the statewide median of $837.

Surrounded by tight housing markets

Adams County's $826 rent sits between neighbor Cass County and larger regional markets. Similar-sized Illinois counties show comparable affordability challenges, with most rent-to-income ratios clustering between 14–16%.

Rent eats more than ownership

At $826 monthly, rent takes up a larger share of income (15.3%) than mortgage payments do (13.7% at $891/month), reflecting lower home values around $155,900. For renters, the math is tighter: homeowners can leverage equity, while renters have no financial cushion.

Consider your renter vs. buyer status

If you're thinking of relocating to Adams County, homebuying looks slightly more favorable than renting given the gap in cost ratios. Compare your own income and savings against these benchmarks to determine whether this county's housing market fits your budget.

Income & Jobs in Adams County

via IncomeByCounty

Adams lags behind national income

Adams County's median household income of $64,962 falls 13% short of the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower half of U.S. counties by household income, indicating limited earning power compared to the broader American economy.

Middle ground in Illinois

At $64,962, Adams County ranks near the middle of Illinois's 102 counties, earning slightly below the state median of $68,580. The county's per capita income of $36,317 nearly matches the state average of $36,009, suggesting household income is driven by family size rather than individual earning potential.

Modest earnings versus nearby counties

Adams County earns $64,962 compared to nearby Boone County's commanding $81,638—a gap of $16,676 that reflects regional economic disparities. Bureau County, another close neighbor, earns $65,894, placing Adams in a competitive but not leading position regionally.

Housing costs remain manageable

At 15.3%, Adams County's rent-to-income ratio matches the national affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes a reasonable share of household earnings. The median home value of $155,900 is accessible to median-income households, though modest incomes limit investment capacity.

Build wealth through planning

Adams County households earning $64,962 have a solid foundation for wealth building if they prioritize savings and investing. Even small contributions to retirement accounts and diversified investments compound over decades, helping bridge the county's income gap with wealthier regions.

Health in Adams County

via HealthByCounty

Adams County lives longer than average

With a life expectancy of 76.5 years, Adams County residents live about half a year longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 17% of adults report being in poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 21%, signaling stronger overall wellness across the county.

Leading Illinois in life expectancy

Adams County's 76.5-year life expectancy outpaces Illinois' state average of 76.0 years, placing it in the upper tier of Illinois counties for longevity. The county's 17% poor/fair health rate also beats the state trend, reflecting better health management and preventive care practices.

Strong provider access in the region

Adams County maintains 105 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly double the availability in Alexander County (20 per 100K) and well above Bond County's 54 per 100K. Mental health resources are robust at 317 providers per 100,000, giving residents reliable access to behavioral health support.

Healthcare access remains affordable

Only 5.6% of Adams County residents lack health insurance, below the state average of 6.3%, meaning most have a safety net for medical care. The combination of abundant primary care providers and strong mental health infrastructure makes navigating the healthcare system straightforward for most residents.

Keep coverage strong and continuous

While Adams County's uninsured rate is already low, maintaining continuous coverage protects your health and finances. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to review your options and ensure your coverage meets your family's needs.

Disaster Risk in Adams County

via RiskByCounty

Adams County's disaster risk: above average nationally

Adams County scores 64.19 on the composite disaster risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category but notably above the national average. This score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly earthquake risk at 64.60 and flood risk at 60.66.

Higher risk than most Illinois counties

At 64.19, Adams County ranks in the upper portion of Illinois counties for disaster risk, exceeding the state average of 54.46. This above-average exposure means residents face greater-than-typical natural hazard threats compared to their peers statewide.

Stands out among nearby counties

Adams County's 64.19 score significantly exceeds neighboring Brown County (4.74) and Calhoun County (6.08), making it the highest-risk county in its immediate area. Even compared to more distant peers like Bond County (36.23) and Carroll County (39.03), Adams faces notably elevated composite risk.

Earthquake and flood pose greatest threats

Earthquake risk (64.60) and flood risk (60.66) dominate Adams County's hazard profile, with tornado risk also significant at 58.84. While wildfire risk remains low at 5.22, residents should prioritize preparedness for seismic and flood events.

Secure flood and earthquake coverage now

Given Adams County's dual exposure to earthquake (64.60) and flood hazards (60.66), standard homeowners insurance is insufficient—you'll need separate earthquake and flood policies. Contact your insurance agent today to ensure your home is protected against these significant, distinct threats.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.