CountyScore

Boone County

Illinois · IL

#86 in Illinois
57.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Boone County, Illinois

Boone County matches the national baseline

Boone County's composite score of 54.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it around the 55th percentile nationally. The score reflects a county with mixed strengths and notable trade-offs.

Below Illinois average, requiring trade-offs

At 54.0, Boone County ranks below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it in the lower half of Illinois counties. The shortfall stems primarily from higher tax and cost burdens despite better income levels.

Higher incomes distinguish Boone County

Boone County's income score of 36.7 is its clear advantage, with median household income of $81,638—significantly above most Illinois counties. This financial capacity allows residents to weather higher housing and tax costs that might strain lower-earning communities.

Taxes and housing costs bite into advantage

The tax score of 38.4 reflects an effective tax rate of 2.269%, among the highest in this group, eating into household budgets. Housing costs are also elevated, with median home values at $198,600 and rent at $1,011 monthly, limiting the benefit of higher incomes.

Best for higher-income professionals

Boone County suits professionals and established families with above-average incomes who can absorb higher taxes and housing costs in exchange for local earning potential. The county offers access to better jobs and career growth, making it ideal for those prioritizing income-building over cost minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax38.4Cost70.1SafetyComing SoonHealth73.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.7Risk42.7WaterComing Soon
🏛38.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡42.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Boone County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
California
58
Median income: $114,678
District of Columbia
District of Columbia
57.8
Median income: $106,287
LaSalle County
Illinois
58
Median income: $72,281
Stephenson County
Illinois
57.8
Median income: $61,943
Wayne County
Michigan
57.8
Median income: $59,521

Deep Dives

Boone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Boone County

via TaxByCounty

Boone County has the region's highest tax rate

Boone County's effective tax rate of 2.27% substantially exceeds the national median of 2.14%, putting it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $4,507 is 68% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Highest taxes among the sample counties

Boone County's 2.27% effective rate is 24% above the Illinois state average of 1.83%, making it one of the highest-taxed counties in this eight-county comparison. At $4,507 median annual tax, Boone residents pay $1,725 more than the state median.

Boone significantly outpaces nearby counties

Boone's 2.27% rate is substantially higher than every comparison county, from Brown (1.47%) to Adams (1.58%) to Bond (1.96%). The county's tax burden stands out dramatically in the region.

Boone's hefty annual tax tab

The median Boone County home valued at $198,600 translates to approximately $4,507 in annual property taxes at the 2.27% effective rate. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $4,645; without, it drops slightly to $4,008.

High rates make assessment appeals especially valuable

Boone County residents paying premium tax rates should strongly consider appealing their assessments, as even a modest reduction yields substantial annual savings. An appeal challenging an overvalued assessment could return hundreds of dollars to your wallet annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Boone County

via CostByCounty

Higher incomes, higher housing costs

Boone County's median household income of $81,638 exceeds the national average by $6,883, and residents leverage that advantage: the 14.9% rent-to-income ratio stays nearly even with the national average despite housing costs running $174/month above U.S. norms. This is a high-income county with proportionally high housing prices.

Highest income, highest rents in sample

Boone County's median income of $81,638 leads this eight-county sample, and median rent of $1,011 is the highest—about $174 above Illinois's state median. The 14.9% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable only because of strong household earnings.

Priciest market in the group

Boone County's $1,011 rent and $1,310 monthly mortgage reflect the most expensive housing market in this sample. Higher incomes support these costs, but price-sensitive movers will find cheaper alternatives in surrounding counties.

Ownership premium over renting

At $1,011 monthly, rent claims 14.9% of income, while homeownership costs $1,310 (19.5%) on a median home value of $198,600. Boone County is the only county in this sample where homeownership notably outpaces rental affordability.

For high earners seeking premium markets

Boone County's strong incomes and robust housing prices make it ideal for affluent relocators who value higher-wage employment markets. If your income aligns with the county median or above, this county offers modern housing stock and economic vitality.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Boone County

via IncomeByCounty

Boone exceeds national income average

Boone County's median household income of $81,638 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 9%, placing it among America's stronger-earning counties. This above-average performance signals robust local economic health and earning potential.

Among Illinois's highest earners

Boone County ranks in the top tier of Illinois counties with a median household income of $81,638, significantly above the state average of $68,580. The $38,437 per capita income also outpaces the state's $36,009 average, reflecting strong individual earning capacity.

Regional prosperity leader

Boone County's $81,638 income leads the eight-county dataset shown, exceeding Adams County ($64,962) by $16,676 and far outpacing Alexander County's $43,523. Only Calhoun County's exceptional $92,095 surpasses Boone, making both regional powerhouses.

Strong income supports housing

At 14.9% rent-to-income ratio, Boone County maintains healthy housing affordability despite the highest median home value of $198,600 in this dataset. Higher incomes translate to genuine purchasing power and long-term equity accumulation.

Maximize wealth-building advantage

Boone County households earning $81,638 are positioned to aggressively fund retirement accounts, education savings, and diversified investments. With above-average income and manageable housing costs, residents should prioritize maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring tax-advantaged investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Boone County

via HealthByCounty

Boone County leads on life expectancy

At 78.3 years, Boone County's life expectancy ranks among the best in the nation, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than two years. Only 19.2% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national 21%, indicating strong population health overall.

Illinois' longest-living county

Boone County's 78.3-year life expectancy is the highest in Illinois, 2.3 years above the state average of 76.0 years. The county's 19.2% poor/fair health rate also ranks favorably, reflecting effective chronic disease management and healthy living practices.

Moderate provider access with gaps

Boone County has 53 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, comparable to Bond County but notably below Adams County's 105 per 100K. Mental health providers are scarce at just 45 per 100,000—the lowest in the region—despite the county's excellent longevity metrics.

Solid coverage with room to improve

The uninsured rate in Boone County is 6.7%, slightly above the Illinois average of 6.3%, meaning a small portion of residents lack healthcare access. Despite the longevity advantage, ensuring universal coverage could further strengthen health outcomes and preventive care capacity.

Maintain your health advantage

Boone County's strong longevity is built on good health practices and access to care—don't let gaps in coverage interrupt that. Visit healthcare.gov to ensure you and your family have continuous, affordable coverage that supports your wellbeing.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Boone County

via RiskByCounty

Boone County's risk moderately above average

Boone County scores 57.35 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeding the national average. This score reflects elevated tornado risk (77.61) and notable flood exposure (63.93), making it a moderate-risk jurisdiction.

Above Illinois's average disaster risk

At 57.35, Boone County exceeds the Illinois state average of 54.46, positioning it in the higher half of the state's counties for natural hazard exposure. Tornado risk in particular (77.61) drives this above-average standing.

More exposed than most nearby counties

Boone County's 57.35 score ranks it among the region's higher-risk areas, substantially above Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and the county's western neighbors. Only Adams County (64.19) and Bureau County (62.28) to the north and east present comparable hazard exposure.

Tornadoes and floods are serious threats

Boone County faces exceptional tornado risk at 77.61—the highest among primary regional competitors—and significant flood exposure at 63.93. These two hazards dominate the risk profile and demand active preparedness planning.

Prepare for tornadoes and floods

With tornado risk at 77.61 and flood risk at 63.93, Boone County residents should verify their homeowners policy covers wind/hail damage and consider separate flood insurance if in a high-risk area. Create a tornado action plan now: identify your safe room, know your county's warning system, and keep supplies accessible.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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