Bond County

Illinois · IL

#51 in Illinois
63.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Bond County, Illinois

Bond County holds its own nationally

Bond County's composite score of 61.7 comfortably exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. This performance reflects steady, reliable livability fundamentals.

Slightly below Illinois average

At 61.7, Bond County falls just below the Illinois state average of 62.1, ranking it near the middle of the state's county distribution. The county offers a balanced profile without standout strengths or weaknesses.

Affordability combined with reasonable taxes

Bond County scores 82.1 on affordability with median homes at $133,100 and rent averaging $735 monthly, providing solid cost advantages. The tax score of 47.1 reflects a 1.962% effective tax rate, moderate compared to state peers.

Income and tax burden both present headwinds

The income score of 23.6 indicates median household income of $61,603, putting Bond County in the lower-middle range for the state. Higher effective taxes (1.962%) than some Illinois counties cut into household purchasing power, and missing data on safety, schools, and health clouds the full picture.

Suits balance-seeking families and retirees

Bond County appeals to people seeking a middle-ground county—neither the cheapest nor most prosperous, but steady and accessible. It works well for families or retirees with modest incomes who value small-town living and need affordability without extreme trade-offs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax47.1Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.6Risk63.8WaterComing Soon
🏛47.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
63.8
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

Bond County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bond County

via TaxByCounty

Bond County taxes exceed the national average

Bond County's effective tax rate of 1.96% sits slightly above the national median of 2.14%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The median tax bill of $2,612 is notably higher than the national median of $2,690, despite a lower median home value of $133,100.

Above average for Illinois property taxes

At 1.96% effective rate, Bond County runs about 7% higher than the Illinois state average of 1.83%, putting it in the higher-tax half of state counties. Its median tax of $2,612 exceeds the state median by about $170.

Bond ranks higher than most nearby counties

Bond County's 1.96% rate is notably higher than Adams (1.58%) and Brown (1.47%), though still lower than Boone's elevated 2.27%. The county represents the middle-to-upper range of regional tax burdens.

What Bond County residents pay annually

A median home valued at $133,100 in Bond County generates approximately $2,612 in annual property taxes at the 1.96% effective rate. Homeowners without a mortgage pay roughly $2,298, while those with mortgages pay about $2,780 when escrow-adjusted.

Appeal opportunities for Bond County homeowners

With above-average tax rates, Bond County residents should consider whether their assessment matches current market values, as overassessment is common. Filing a formal appeal with the county assessor could significantly reduce your annual tax obligation.

Cost of Living in Bond County

via CostByCounty

Bond stays under affordability pressure

Bond County renters spend 14.3% of income on housing, landing below both the national average (14.7%) and Illinois state average (14.7%). With a median income of $61,603, residents here achieve slightly better affordability than many peers despite modest earnings.

Best affordability in this sample

Bond County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties and slightly below Illinois's statewide average. Median rent of $735 undercuts the state median of $837 by about $100, giving renters breathing room.

Competitive rents across region

Bond County's $735 monthly rent positions it in the affordable zone compared to surrounding southern and central Illinois counties. Similar income levels and housing costs across this region suggest consistent economic conditions.

Renters win; owners stretch

Renters in Bond County enjoy the county's best affordability ratio at 14.3%, while homeowners pay $865 monthly (16.8% of income) for mortgages on homes averaging $133,100. The split suggests this is a renter-friendly market.

Sweet spot for budget-conscious renters

If affordable rent is your priority, Bond County offers one of the best value propositions in Illinois while maintaining reasonable income levels. Visit to check local job markets and community amenities before making your move.

Income & Jobs in Bond County

via IncomeByCounty

Bond trails national income benchmark

Bond County's median household income of $61,603 falls 18% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-earning counties nationwide. The gap reflects limited economic dynamism compared to more prosperous American regions.

Below-average earner in Illinois

Bond County ranks in the lower third of Illinois counties with a median household income of $61,603, trailing the state average of $68,580 by about $7,000. Per capita income of $32,665 similarly underperforms the state's $36,009 average.

Overshadowed by wealthier regions

Bond County's $61,603 income places it below several peers: Boone County earns $81,638, Calhoun County reaches $92,095, and even Adams County edges ahead at $64,962. The county occupies a modest middle ground in a diverse regional landscape.

Best housing affordability in dataset

Bond County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.3%, making housing costs highly manageable relative to earnings. The median home value of $133,100 pairs well with median household income, creating genuine housing stability for most residents.

Leverage affordability to invest

Bond County residents benefit from exceptional housing affordability that frees income for investing and wealth building. With housing costs controlled, households earning $61,603 can aggressively fund retirement accounts and diversified investments to close the national income gap.

Health in Bond County

via HealthByCounty

Bond County achieves above-average longevity

Bond County residents have a life expectancy of 77.0 years, nearly a full year above the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 22.1% reporting poor or fair health—slightly above the national rate of 21%—the county shows mixed health trends that warrant attention.

Solid performer on Illinois health metrics

Bond County's 77.0-year life expectancy exceeds Illinois' state average of 76.0 years, placing it among healthier counties statewide. The 22.1% poor/fair health rate is near the state average, suggesting Bond County residents experience typical health challenges for Illinois.

Primary care access lags nearby areas

Bond County has 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, roughly half the availability in Adams County (105 per 100K) but above Alexander County's 20 per 100K. Mental health services are limited at 176 per 100,000, the lowest among surrounding counties, creating a potential gap for behavioral health support.

Insurance coverage slightly below state norm

An uninsured rate of 6.5% means about 1 in 16 Bond County residents lack health insurance, slightly above Illinois' 6.3% average. Combined with moderate primary care availability, this suggests some residents may delay seeking preventive care due to coverage gaps.

Close the coverage gap today

If you're among the 6.5% uninsured in Bond County, finding coverage takes just one call. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore affordable options and protect your health and wallet.

Disaster Risk in Bond County

via RiskByCounty

Bond County ranks very low nationally

Bond County scores just 36.23 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it well below the national average. This reflects relatively modest exposure across most hazard types, though tornado risk registers moderately at 58.49.

Among Illinois's safest counties

At 36.23, Bond County ranks in the lower tier of Illinois counties for disaster risk, substantially below the state average of 54.46. Residents enjoy comparative safety from multiple natural hazards, though tornado preparedness remains worthwhile.

Competitive with area's lowest-risk counties

Bond County's 36.23 score places it alongside Carroll County (39.03) as one of the region's safer areas, though both face higher tornado risk than western neighbors like Brown County (4.74) and Calhoun County (6.08). Compared to northern counties like Adams (64.19) and Boone (57.35), Bond offers significantly lower overall exposure.

Tornadoes pose the main threat

Bond County's tornado risk of 58.49 substantially outpaces its flood risk (30.47) and earthquake risk (86.45, which applies to the region generally). While overall risk remains very low, tornado season preparation is the key priority for residents.

Focus on tornado readiness and coverage

Bond County's low composite risk means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection, but ensure your policy covers wind and hail damage from tornado activity. Develop a family tornado plan and identify your safe room as the most practical form of protection.

ByCounty Network

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