CountyScore

Brown County

Illinois · IL

#5 in Illinois
71.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Brown County, Illinois

Brown County shines above national average

Brown County's composite score of 68.1 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. This strong performance reflects consistent strength across multiple livability dimensions.

Among Illinois's best-performing counties

At 68.1, Brown County exceeds the Illinois state average of 62.1 and ranks in the upper tier statewide. The county combines low taxes with affordable housing and reasonable incomes.

Low taxes and affordable housing lead the way

Brown County boasts a tax score of 60.9 (effective rate 1.470%, the lowest in this group) and a cost score of 82.8, with median homes at $142,200 and rent at $724 monthly. This combination of tax relief and housing affordability provides genuine financial advantages.

Income levels lag, data gaps remain

The income score of 30.6 with median household income of $72,288 is solid but not exceptional compared to top-performing counties. Safety, health, school quality, and water data are not yet available, limiting the full assessment of livability.

Excellent choice for cost-conscious families

Brown County delivers one of the strongest livability packages for families seeking low taxes, affordable housing, and decent incomes without excess cost burdens. It's ideal for people who want a balanced county profile and value fiscal responsibility in local governance.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.9Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth73.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk95.3WaterComing Soon
🏛60.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡95.3
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 Brown County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prairie County
Arkansas
71.8
Median income: $51,094
Greene County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $59,753
Huntington County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $62,734
Miami County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $61,130
Noble County
Indiana
71.8
Median income: $70,908

Deep Dives

Brown County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Brown County

via TaxByCounty

Brown County offers notably low property taxes

Brown County's effective tax rate of 1.47% sits well below the national median of 2.14%, placing it among the nation's more affordable counties. The median tax bill of $2,090 is about 22% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Among Illinois's lowest-tax counties

At 1.47% effective rate, Brown County beats the Illinois state average of 1.83% by a healthy margin, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. Its $2,090 median tax bill runs about $692 below the state median of $2,782.

Brown ranks lowest in the region

Brown County's 1.47% effective rate is the lowest among all eight comparison counties, beating even Alexander (1.65%) and Adams (1.58%). The county consistently offers relief to property owners across the region.

Brown County's modest annual tax burden

The median Brown County home valued at $142,200 generates roughly $2,090 in annual property taxes at the 1.47% effective rate. Homeowners without a mortgage pay approximately $2,137, while those with mortgages pay about $2,060 when adjusted.

Even low-rate counties have assessment opportunities

Brown County's favorable tax rate doesn't mean assessments are always accurate—overvaluation can occur anywhere. If you believe your property is assessed too high, a formal appeal could still save you money.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Brown County

via CostByCounty

Best affordability ratio in sample

Brown County residents spend just 12.0% of income on rent—more than 2 percentage points below the national average of 14.7%—making it the most affordable county among these eight. Despite a median income of $72,288 (below the national average), the exceptionally low $724 rent creates significant housing relief.

Standout value in Illinois

Brown County's 12.0% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this sample and substantially below Illinois's state average of 14.7%. Median rent of $724 runs about $113 below the statewide median, offering renters material savings.

Rural charm, rural prices

Brown County's $724 rent is among the cheapest in this group, reflecting its smaller size and rural character compared to more urbanized counties. This affordability advantage extends across both rental and ownership markets.

Renting and buying both affordable

Renters spend 12.0% of income on $724 rent, the lowest ratio of all eight counties; homeowners pay $834 monthly (13.8%) on homes valued around $142,200. This county achieves rare balance, making both tenure options accessible.

Maximum housing value, minimal strain

Brown County is the standout choice for budget-conscious relocators seeking the lowest housing-to-income burden. Explore the community's amenities, schools, and job landscape to confirm it meets your lifestyle needs before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Brown County

via IncomeByCounty

Brown County slightly below national median

Brown County's median household income of $72,288 falls just 3% short of the national median of $74,755, positioning it solidly within the middle range of U.S. counties. This near-national-average performance reflects a balanced local economy.

Modest performer in Illinois

Brown County ranks slightly below the Illinois state median with income of $72,288 compared to the state average of $68,580, placing it near the state's middle. Per capita income of $26,527 lags the state's $36,009 average, suggesting income concentration in fewer earners.

Competitive with regional peers

Brown County's $72,288 income sits between Adams County ($64,962) and Boone County ($81,638), reflecting moderate regional positioning. The county outperforms Alexander, Bond, and Carroll counties while trailing only Boone and Calhoun.

Excellent housing affordability

Brown County's 12.0% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties, well below the 15% affordability benchmark. The median home value of $142,200 is highly accessible, freeing substantial household income for savings and investment.

Use affordability as wealth lever

Brown County residents earning $72,288 enjoy exceptional housing affordability that creates substantial opportunity for wealth building. With rent-to-income costs kept to just 12%, households should direct freed income to retirement savings, home equity building, and long-term investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Brown County

via HealthByCounty

Brown County achieves excellent longevity

Brown County residents live to 77.9 years on average, nearly two years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 21.4% reporting poor or fair health—essentially at the national rate—the county maintains strong population health across most demographics.

Second healthiest county in Illinois

Brown County's 77.9-year life expectancy ranks second in Illinois, nearly 2 years above the state average of 76.0 years. The 21.4% poor/fair health rate is below the state trend, indicating better chronic disease prevention and management practices.

Severe primary care shortage

Brown County has only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region and far below Boone County's 53 per 100K. However, mental health providers are plentiful at 334 per 100,000, suggesting the county has prioritized behavioral health despite primary care constraints.

Best insurance coverage in the region

Brown County's 3.8% uninsured rate is the lowest among all comparison counties, meaning 96% of residents have healthcare coverage. This exceptional insurance penetration helps offset the limited primary care supply and likely contributes to the county's strong longevity outcomes.

Keep Brown County covered

With one of Illinois' best insurance rates, Brown County is a model of healthcare access—help maintain that by staying covered. If you're among the small uninsured population, visit healthcare.gov today to join 96% of your neighbors with continuous protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Brown County

via RiskByCounty

Brown County ranks among nation's safest

Brown County scores just 4.74 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal exposure across all major hazard types.

Illinois's safest county overall

Brown County's 4.74 composite score is by far the lowest in Illinois, sitting far below the state average of 54.46. No other Illinois county comes remotely close to this level of natural disaster safety.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Brown County's 4.74 score is vastly lower than every nearby county—Calhoun County (6.08) ranks second in the region, followed by Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and Alexander County (44.08). The difference is so pronounced that Brown County stands in a category of its own locally.

Minimal hazard exposure across all types

Brown County's most significant risk is tornado exposure at 17.75, which remains very low compared to state and national standards. Flood risk (4.07), earthquake risk (27.99), and wildfire risk (0.22) all register as negligible threats.

Standard insurance provides solid coverage

Brown County residents enjoy exceptional natural disaster safety, so standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without special add-ons. Focus your preparedness efforts on general home maintenance and keeping emergency supplies, since specialized disaster insurance is unlikely to be cost-effective here.

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.