Carroll County

Illinois · IL

#50 in Illinois
64
County Score

County Report Card

About Carroll County, Illinois

Carroll County exceeds national baseline

Carroll County's composite score of 60.8 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by over 20%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. The score reflects a county with reasonable but not exceptional livability fundamentals.

Just slightly below Illinois average

At 60.8, Carroll County ranks just below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it near the middle of state counties. The county offers a modest, accessible livability profile without standout strengths.

Affordability remains the primary asset

Carroll County scores 81.9 on affordability with median home values of $113,500 and monthly rent of $784, providing solid housing cost advantages. The tax score of 45.1 (effective rate 2.034%) is moderate, neither particularly burdensome nor exceptional.

Low incomes and higher tax rates constrain growth

The income score of 23.1 with median household income of $60,871 is among the lowest in this group, limiting economic mobility and career advancement. The effective tax rate of 2.034% is higher than several comparable counties, further straining household budgets.

Suitable for those prioritizing housing affordability

Carroll County works best for budget-conscious households—retirees, those in transition, or people remote-working with external incomes—who need affordable housing above all. The combination of accessible homes and lower incomes suggests the county offers limited local job growth, making it less attractive for those seeking career advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax45.1Cost81.9SafetyComing SoonHealth73.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk61WaterComing Soon
🏛45.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
61
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

Carroll County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carroll County

via TaxByCounty

Carroll County's taxes slightly exceed national norm

Carroll County's effective tax rate of 2.03% sits right near the national median of 2.14%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. The median tax bill of $2,308 is about 14% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower property values.

Slightly above Illinois average rate

At 2.03% effective rate, Carroll County runs about 11% higher than the Illinois state average of 1.83%, putting it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its median tax of $2,308 is about $474 below the state median of $2,782.

Carroll ranks upper-middle among region

Carroll County's 2.03% rate exceeds Adams (1.58%), Alexander (1.65%), Brown (1.47%), and Calhoun (1.47%), but remains well below Boone's 2.27%. The county falls in the upper-middle range regionally.

Carroll County's typical annual property tax

A median home valued at $113,500 in Carroll County generates approximately $2,308 in annual property taxes at the 2.03% effective rate. Without a mortgage, residents pay roughly $2,228; with a mortgage, the figure rises to $2,401.

Carroll residents can benefit from appeals

With above-average effective rates, Carroll County homeowners should examine whether their assessments match market conditions, as overassessment remains common. An appeal could significantly reduce your annual tax burden if your property is valued too high.

Cost of Living in Carroll County

via CostByCounty

Housing pressure exceeds national norm

Carroll County renters spend 15.5% of income on housing, exceeding the national average of 14.7% by a full percentage point. With median rent at $784 and household income at $60,871, residents here face tighter affordability constraints than typical American households.

Second-highest burden in sample

Carroll County's 15.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-highest among these eight counties and exceeds Illinois's state average of 14.7%. Median rent of $784 runs about $53 below the statewide median, yet the income base is weaker, driving affordability pressure.

Tight housing market amid region

Carroll County's $784 rent is moderate for the region, but the 15.5% affordability ratio signals below-average household incomes compared to neighboring counties. This creates one of the tightest affordability situations in the sample.

Renters face highest burden proportion

Renters in Carroll County pay $784 monthly (15.5% of income), the second-tightest ratio in the sample, while homeowners pay $819 (16.0%) on homes averaging $113,500. Both tenure options strain household budgets here.

Verify affordability before relocating

Carroll County's elevated affordability burden suggests you'll need above-median income to relocate comfortably. Calculate your own housing costs against the county median to ensure this market aligns with your financial situation.

Income & Jobs in Carroll County

via IncomeByCounty

Carroll trails national income significantly

Carroll County's median household income of $60,871 falls 18% short of the national median of $74,755, positioning it among lower-earning U.S. counties. This substantial gap reflects limited economic dynamism and earning potential.

Lower tier in Illinois

Carroll County ranks in the lower third of Illinois counties with a median household income of $60,871, trailing the state average of $68,580 by $7,709. Per capita income of $32,921 also lags the state's $36,009 average, indicating constrained individual earning capacity.

Among the county's lower earners

Carroll County's $60,871 income ranks second-lowest in this eight-county comparison, ahead of only Alexander County's $43,523. Even modest performers like Bond County ($61,603) marginally exceed Carroll, reflecting the county's economic challenges.

Tight housing affordability

At 15.5%, Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this dataset, indicating housing costs strain household budgets. The median home value of $113,500 is the lowest among comparable counties, reflecting limited property values and appreciation potential.

Strategic investing despite constraints

Carroll County households earning $60,871 must carefully manage budgets before investing, prioritizing emergency savings and debt reduction. Once housing and basic needs are secured, even modest contributions to retirement accounts and low-cost index funds can compound meaningfully over decades.

Health in Carroll County

via HealthByCounty

Carroll County approaches national averages

Carroll County's 76.7-year life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating typical American health outcomes. At 16.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county performs better than the national 21%, suggesting effective chronic disease prevention.

Solid health standing in Illinois

Carroll County's 76.7-year life expectancy is above Illinois' 76.0-year state average, placing it in the upper-middle tier of counties. The 16.5% poor/fair health rate is among the best in the state, reflecting good population health management practices.

Significant primary care shortage

Carroll County has only 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the second-lowest in the region and far below Adams County's 105 per 100K. Mental health services at 129 per 100,000 are modest but available, though neither specialty adequately serves the population.

Highest uninsured rate after Bureau

At 7.6%, Carroll County's uninsured rate is the second-highest among comparison counties, above Illinois' 6.3% average. Combined with low provider availability, this coverage gap likely affects healthcare-seeking behavior and preventive care access for vulnerable residents.

Don't delay—get covered now

With 7.6% of Carroll County residents uninsured, finding affordable coverage is a critical first step toward better health. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department today to explore plans that fit your budget and protect your family.

Disaster Risk in Carroll County

via RiskByCounty

Carroll County's risk well below average

Carroll County scores 39.03 on the composite disaster risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and positioning it well below the national average. This reflects modest exposure to most hazards, though tornado risk registers moderately at 55.88.

Among Illinois's lowest-risk counties

At 39.03, Carroll 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 practical.

Safer than most nearby counties

Carroll County's 39.03 score places it among the region's safer areas, comparable to Bond County (36.23) and substantially safer than Boone County (57.35), Adams County (64.19), or Alexander County (44.08). Only Brown County (4.74) and Calhoun County (6.08) present significantly lower risk.

Tornadoes the primary concern

Carroll County's tornado risk of 55.88 substantially outpaces flood risk (46.47) and represents the county's main hazard exposure. Earthquake risk (31.65) and wildfire risk (13.07) remain minimal by comparison.

Prepare for tornado season

Carroll County's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection, but ensure wind and hail coverage is included. Develop a tornado action plan during spring, identify your home's safest room, and review warning systems so you can act quickly when storms approach.

ByCounty Network

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