CountyScore

Calhoun County

Illinois · IL

#3 in Illinois
74.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Calhoun County, Illinois

Calhoun County leads nationally

Calhoun County's composite score of 71.3 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 85th percentile nationally. This performance reflects a county with genuine competitive livability advantages across multiple fronts.

Top-tier performer among Illinois counties

At 71.3, Calhoun County ranks well above the Illinois state average of 62.1 and stands among the state's best-performing counties. The county delivers a balanced, attractive livability profile.

Highest income plus lowest costs and taxes

Calhoun County's income score of 43.5 brings median household income of $92,095—the highest in this group—paired with an exceptional cost score of 86.1 (median home value $174,000, rent just $479 monthly). The tax score of 60.8 (effective rate 1.474%) adds a third major advantage, combining earning power with financial relief.

Limited data on health, safety, schools

Missing information on safety, health, school quality, and water prevents a complete livability assessment, though the strong economic profile suggests fewer vulnerabilities. Prospective residents should independently evaluate these dimensions.

Best overall county for broad demographics

Calhoun County suits families, professionals, and retirees across income levels—it's the rarest combination of high earning potential, low taxes, and affordable housing in this group. Whether you're building wealth or living on a fixed income, Calhoun County's balanced advantages make it an exceptional choice for livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.8Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth75.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome43.5Risk94WaterComing Soon
🏛60.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼43.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡94
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 Calhoun County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake County
Colorado
74.3
Median income: $93,655
Scott County
Illinois
74.3
Median income: $73,013
Rush County
Indiana
74.3
Median income: $64,393
Presque Isle County
Michigan
74.3
Median income: $56,713
Cooper County
Missouri
74.3
Median income: $67,548

Deep Dives

Calhoun County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Calhoun County

via TaxByCounty

Calhoun County offers lower-than-average taxes

Calhoun 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 for property taxes. The median tax bill of $2,565 is about 5% below the national median of $2,690.

Below-average for Illinois property taxes

At 1.47% effective rate, Calhoun County runs about 20% below the Illinois state average of 1.83%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. Its median tax of $2,565 is about $217 below the state median of $2,782.

Calhoun matches the region's lowest rates

Calhoun County's 1.47% rate ties with Brown County as the lowest in the regional comparison, significantly beating Adams (1.58%) and well below Boone (2.27%). The county consistently offers relief to property owners.

Calhoun County's modest annual tax

The median Calhoun County home valued at $174,000 generates roughly $2,565 in annual property taxes at the 1.47% effective rate. Homeowners without a mortgage pay approximately $2,462, while those with mortgages pay about $2,719.

Even favorable rates deserve assessment review

Calhoun County's low tax rate doesn't guarantee accurate assessments—overvaluation affects properties across all tax brackets. Homeowners should review their assessments and appeal if they believe their property is valued too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Calhoun County

via CostByCounty

Exceptional affordability, highest income

Calhoun County achieves a remarkable 6.2% rent-to-income ratio—less than half the national average of 14.7%—backed by the highest median household income in this sample at $92,095. At just $479 monthly, rent is by far the cheapest in the group.

Unmatched affordability in Illinois

Calhoun County's 6.2% rent-to-income ratio is exceptional compared to Illinois's state average of 14.7%, creating extraordinary housing relief for residents. The $479 median rent is 43% cheaper than the statewide median of $837.

Rural oasis in price-conscious region

Calhoun County's $479 rent stands as the lowest by far in this eight-county sample, reflecting its small size and rural setting. This makes it an outlier for bargain hunters, though employment options may be more limited.

Historic low housing burden

At just $479 monthly, rent claims only 6.2% of income, leaving residents 8.5 percentage points better off than the national average. Even homeowners at $924 (12.0%) achieve exceptional affordability, making Calhoun County a housing-cost paradise.

Extraordinary value for the right fit

If you can secure employment in or near Calhoun County, the housing affordability is unbeatable—residents save thousands annually on shelter costs compared to national norms. Verify local job availability before relocating to this remote but remarkably affordable market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Calhoun County

via IncomeByCounty

Calhoun far exceeds national income

Calhoun County's median household income of $92,095 crushes the national median of $74,755 by 23%, ranking it among America's strongest-earning counties. This exceptional performance reflects a thriving local economy with substantial earning power.

Illinois's income champion

Calhoun County ranks at the very top of Illinois's 102 counties with a median household income of $92,095, nearly 34% above the state average of $68,580. Per capita income of $33,749 slightly underperforms the state, but household income drives this county's exceptional standing.

Clear economic leader

Calhoun County's $92,095 income dominates this eight-county dataset, exceeding second-place Boone County ($81,638) by over $10,000. No neighboring county comes close, establishing Calhoun as the region's unambiguous prosperity leader.

Exceptional housing affordability

Calhoun County's 6.2% rent-to-income ratio is dramatically lower than national benchmarks and other counties in this dataset, freeing substantial income for savings. The median home value of $174,000 is highly affordable relative to the exceptional household income.

Aggressive wealth-building opportunity

Calhoun County residents earning $92,095 with housing costs at just 6.2% of income enjoy unparalleled wealth-building capacity. Households should maximize retirement contributions, establish diversified investment portfolios, and consider real estate or business investments to fully leverage this economic advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Calhoun County

via HealthByCounty

Calhoun County lags on longevity

With a life expectancy of 74.7 years, Calhoun County residents live more than a year below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The 14.5% poor/fair health rate is notably better than the national 21%, suggesting acute health challenges rather than widespread chronic disease.

Among Illinois' shortest lifespans

Calhoun County's 74.7-year life expectancy is 1.3 years below Illinois' state average of 76.0 years, ranking it among the state's lower-performing counties. The low 14.5% poor/fair health rate is puzzling given the short life expectancy, suggesting possible data collection variations or specific health crises affecting survival.

Limited primary care, no mental health data

Calhoun County has just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, significantly below regional averages like Adams County's 105 per 100K. Mental health provider data is not available for the county, making it difficult to assess complete healthcare access.

Good insurance coverage masks access gaps

At 5.4%, Calhoun County's uninsured rate is the lowest among all comparison counties, yet life expectancy remains short. This suggests the barrier isn't insurance itself but the availability of actual care providers and services to access with that insurance.

Maintain your coverage advantage

Calhoun County's excellent insurance penetration rate is a foundation—maintain it by checking your coverage annually. Visit healthcare.gov to ensure your plan is current and meets your health needs, especially given limited local provider options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Calhoun County

via RiskByCounty

Calhoun County ranks among nation's safest

Calhoun County scores just 6.08 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and ranking among the safest counties in the United States. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal hazard exposure across virtually all disaster types.

Second-safest county in Illinois

Calhoun County's 6.08 composite score ranks it as the second-safest county in Illinois, just below Brown County (4.74), and vastly below the state average of 54.46. Only a handful of U.S. counties rival Calhoun's level of natural disaster safety.

Among the region's lowest-risk areas

Calhoun County's 6.08 score ranks just behind Brown County (4.74) as the region's safest jurisdiction, far ahead of Carroll County (39.03), Bond County (36.23), and Alexander County (44.08). Even compared to northern Adams County (64.19), Calhoun is roughly 10 times safer.

Tornado exposure slightly elevated locally

Calhoun County's tornado risk of 18.80 is its most significant hazard, though it remains well below state and national norms. Flood risk (16.13) ranks second, while earthquake (33.84) and wildfire (0.57) risks are minimal.

Standard insurance covers your needs

Calhoun County residents benefit from exceptional natural disaster safety, so standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage without costly add-ons. Maintain basic emergency preparedness and ensure your roof and drainage systems are well-maintained for optimal home resilience.

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.