CountyScore

Bureau County

Illinois · IL

#75 in Illinois
60.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Bureau County, Illinois

Bureau County performs above the middle

Bureau County's composite score of 59.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 20%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The score reflects a county with solid fundamentals despite some constraints.

Slightly below Illinois average overall

At 59.5, Bureau County ranks slightly below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it in the middle range of state counties. The county offers reasonable livability but faces headwinds in taxes and income potential.

Affordable housing provides foundation

Bureau County scores 79.3 on affordability with median home values of $121,900 and monthly rent of $838, offering solid cost advantages. The housing market remains accessible for first-time buyers and families seeking value.

Taxes and income growth constrain livability

The tax score of 44.1 reflects an effective tax rate of 2.069%, higher than many comparable counties and reducing household budgets. Income potential is limited, with a score of 25.4 and median household income of $65,894, constraining economic mobility.

Works for retirees and stable-income households

Bureau County suits retirees with fixed incomes and households not seeking career advancement, where housing affordability matters more than income growth. The higher tax burden requires residents to be intentional about finances, but affordable homes make it accessible for those with stable, modest earnings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax44.1Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth70.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.4Risk37.7WaterComing Soon
🏛44.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.7
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 Bureau County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Summit County
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Median income: $71,016
Erath County
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Median income: $65,351
Hood County
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Median income: $86,802

Deep Dives

Bureau County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bureau County

via TaxByCounty

Bureau County taxes run slightly above national norm

Bureau County's effective tax rate of 2.07% sits slightly above the national median of 2.14%, placing it right in the middle of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $2,522 is about 6% below the national median of $2,690.

Above Illinois average but not extreme

At 2.07% effective rate, Bureau County runs about 13% higher than the Illinois state average of 1.83%, putting it in the upper-middle range of state counties. Its median tax of $2,522 exceeds the state median by about $260.

Bureau sits in the mid-to-upper tax range

Bureau County's 2.07% rate is higher than Adams (1.58%), Alexander (1.65%), and Brown (1.47%), but still considerably lower than Boone's outlier 2.27%. The county falls in the upper-middle tier regionally.

Bureau County's annual property tax bill

A median home valued at $121,900 in Bureau County generates approximately $2,522 in annual property taxes at the 2.07% effective rate. Homeowners without a mortgage pay roughly $2,383, while those with mortgages pay about $2,613.

Bureau homeowners should explore appeals

With above-average tax rates, Bureau County residents should review whether their assessments reflect current property values accurately. Filing an appeal could help reclaim thousands of dollars over time if your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bureau County

via CostByCounty

Rent costs bite harder than average

Bureau County renters spend 15.3% of income on housing, exceeding the national average of 14.7% by more than half a percentage point. With median rent of $838 and household income of $65,894, residents shoulder above-average affordability pressure.

High affordability burden for state

Bureau County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio matches Adams County as among the highest in this sample and runs above Illinois's state average of 14.7%. Median rent of $838 tracks nearly even with the state median of $837.

Mid-range costs, above-average burden

Bureau County's $838 rent sits at the state median, but the 15.3% affordability ratio suggests incomes are weaker than neighboring counties with similar rent levels. This creates tighter budgets for Bureau County renters.

Renters squeezed harder than owners

At $838 monthly, rent claims 15.3% of income—the tightest squeeze among the eight counties—while homeowners pay $920 (16.8%) on median homes valued at $121,900. Renters face particular pressure in Bureau County's market.

Navigate affordability trade-offs carefully

Bureau County's above-average rent burden suggests you'll need strong household income to move here comfortably. Compare your own earnings against the county median to gauge whether relocating makes financial sense.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bureau County

via IncomeByCounty

Bureau trails national income standard

Bureau County's median household income of $65,894 falls 12% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-earning half of U.S. counties. The gap signals limited economic opportunity relative to national standards.

Slightly below Illinois average

Bureau County ranks near the Illinois median with income of $65,894, just $2,686 below the state average of $68,580. Per capita income of $36,625 slightly exceeds the state's $36,009 average, showing reasonable individual earning potential.

Solidly middle of the pack

Bureau County's $65,894 income places it slightly ahead of Adams County ($64,962) and Carroll County ($60,871) while trailing stronger neighbors like Boone ($81,638) and Calhoun ($92,095). The county represents stable, unremarkable regional earnings.

Housing costs match earnings

At 15.3% rent-to-income ratio, Bureau County matches the national affordability threshold, with housing costs claiming a standard share of household income. The median home value of $121,900 is accessible but leaves limited room for aggressive home appreciation.

Build steady investment discipline

Bureau County households earning $65,894 should establish consistent savings and investment habits to compound wealth over time. With housing costs at the affordability limit, even modest regular contributions to retirement accounts and index funds can meaningfully build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bureau County

via HealthByCounty

Bureau County meets national health norms

Bureau County's 76.8-year life expectancy aligns closely with the U.S. average of 76.1 years, showing typical American longevity trends. At 19.9% poor or fair health, the county is slightly above the national 21%, suggesting relatively strong management of chronic disease.

Mid-range health outcomes for Illinois

Bureau County's 76.8-year life expectancy is slightly above Illinois' 76.0-year state average, placing it in the middle tier of counties. The 19.9% poor/fair health rate matches the state trend closely, indicating Bureau County residents face typical health challenges for the state.

Moderate provider access in area

Bureau County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below Adams County's 105 but above Alexander County's 20 per 100K. Mental health services are limited at 95 per 100,000, the second-lowest in the region, leaving some residents to travel for behavioral health care.

Highest uninsured rate in the group

At 7.4%, Bureau County's uninsured rate is the highest among all comparison counties and well above Illinois' 6.3% average. This coverage gap likely prevents some residents from seeking preventive care, potentially contributing to the county's 19.9% poor/fair health rate.

Bridge the coverage gap

If you're among Bureau County's 7.4% uninsured, affordable coverage is within reach—and it's essential for your health. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore your options and join the majority of your neighbors with continuous protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bureau County

via RiskByCounty

Bureau County's risk moderately elevated

Bureau County scores 62.28 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeding the national average. This score reflects significant exposure to tornadoes (81.71) and floods (63.36), plus elevated earthquake risk (74.01).

Among Illinois's higher-risk counties

At 62.28, Bureau County ranks in the upper tier of Illinois counties for disaster risk, substantially exceeding the state average of 54.46. Only a handful of Illinois counties face comparable or greater overall natural hazard exposure.

Highest-risk county in its region

Bureau County's 62.28 score makes it the highest-risk county in its immediate area, substantially exceeding Adams County (64.19) only slightly—the two counties are roughly equivalent. Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and Alexander County (44.08) all present substantially lower composite risk.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes loom large

Bureau County faces exceptional tornado risk at 81.71—the highest in the region—plus significant flood exposure (63.36) and elevated earthquake risk (74.01). These three distinct hazards create a complex and serious risk profile demanding comprehensive preparedness.

Secure multiple coverages for compound risks

Bureau County's triple threat of tornado (81.71), flood (63.36), and earthquake (74.01) risks means relying on standard homeowners insurance alone is insufficient. Contact an agent to add flood insurance and evaluate earthquake coverage, then create a tornado action plan with safe-room identification and regular safety drills.

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.