CountyScore

Champaign County

Illinois · IL

#90 in Illinois
56.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Champaign County, Illinois

Above national average, not by much

Champaign County's composite score of 55.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it around the 55th percentile nationally. It represents solid, middle-ground livability without standout advantages.

Below state average despite assets

At 55.4, Champaign County falls notably below Illinois's 62.1 state average, ranking in the lower-middle tier statewide. This gap suggests other Illinois counties offer better overall livability profiles.

Solid affordability with reasonable taxes

Champaign County delivers a Cost Score of 71.6 and Tax Score of 44.1, reflecting moderate housing costs and tax burden. Median home values of $205,100 remain reasonable for a college-town county anchored by major universities.

Housing costs rising, income stagnant

Median household income of $63,091 is among the lowest scored (24.6), while gross rents at $1,018/month rank higher than many comparable rural counties. This tension between modest wages and rising housing costs pressures affordability.

Ideal for university-connected residents

Champaign County appeals most to students, faculty, and university employees who benefit from institutional job markets and educational infrastructure. Others should weigh the lower income profile and higher rents against the region's cultural and educational assets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax44.1Cost71.6SafetyComing SoonHealth76.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk9.5WaterComing Soon
🏛44.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠71.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.5
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 Champaign County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Wyandotte County
Kansas
56.8
Median income: $60,582
Douglas County
Nebraska
56.8
Median income: $79,081
Sullivan County
New York
56.8
Median income: $69,826
Maverick County
Texas
56.8
Median income: $51,270
Uvalde County
Texas
56.8
Median income: $57,849

Deep Dives

Champaign County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Champaign County

via TaxByCounty

Champaign County taxes slightly above national norm

With an effective tax rate of 2.070%, Champaign County sits above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. Its median property tax of $4,245 exceeds the national median of $2,690, driven by higher home values averaging $205,100.

Mid-range within Illinois counties

Champaign County ranks 20th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate at 2.070%, above the state average of 1.831%. Its median property tax of $4,245 surpasses the state median of $2,782, reflecting a more affluent housing market.

Highest taxes in central Illinois cluster

Champaign County's 2.070% rate leads its neighboring counties, including Cass County (2.102% is higher, but Coles County at 2.046% is close), and significantly exceeds Christian County (1.691%) and Clark County (1.684%). It sits squarely in the region's higher-tax tier.

What an average Champaign County home costs annually

The median Champaign County home valued at $205,100 generates an estimated $4,245 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $4,362, while those without mortgages pay $4,063.

Overassessment could save you thousands

Champaign County homeowners overassessed on their property can file appeals with the county assessor's office at no cost. Given the county's higher home values and tax bills, a successful reassessment could reduce annual taxes by over $1,000.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Champaign County

via CostByCounty

Champaign County rents bite harder than national

Renters here spend 19.4% of income on housing—well above the national comfort threshold of 30% and significantly higher than most Illinois counties. Though median household income reaches $63,091, the median rent of $1,018 per month creates outsized housing pressure compared to the $74,755 national median.

One of Illinois's priciest rental markets

Champaign County's 19.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's worst affordability, far exceeding the Illinois average of 14.7%. The $1,018 median rent—$181 above state average—reflects the county's role as home to the University of Illinois, driving up demand and costs.

Rent premium reflects college town demand

Champaign County's $1,018 rent towers over rural neighbors like Cass ($723), Christian ($729), and Clark ($828), signaling a distinct economic profile. This premium aligns with university-driven housing markets where student and faculty demand keep prices elevated.

College town costs strain household budgets

Renters pay $1,018 monthly while homeowners carry $1,206—both substantial relative to the $63,091 median income. At a $205,100 median home value, ownership remains more expensive than renting here, an unusual pattern reflecting academic institutional wealth rather than typical residential demand.

Expect premium pricing for college proximity

Moving to Champaign County? Budget for university-driven rents 22% above the state average and nearly 41% above smaller, rural neighbors. If affordability matters, compare Champaign's 19.4% rent burden against cheaper counties like Cass (13.4%) or Clinton (13.6%) before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Champaign County

via IncomeByCounty

Champaign County below U.S. income median

Champaign County's median household income of $63,091 lags the national median of $74,755 by $11,664. However, the county's per capita income of $37,366 exceeds the state average, reflecting a concentration of higher earners.

Middle-of-pack income ranking in Illinois

At $63,091, Champaign County earns $5,489 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580. The county's ranking reflects an urban-rural income split, with the University of Illinois campus creating pockets of higher professional income.

Mixed earnings compared to nearby counties

Champaign County ($63,091) trails Clark County ($70,625) but edges out Coles County ($56,040). The presence of the university and regional employers keeps household income competitive within east-central Illinois.

Housing costs squeeze Champaign renters

A rent-to-income ratio of 19.4% means Champaign County renters spend nearly two-thirds of the recommended 30% housing-cost threshold. This pressure reflects the university town's higher rental demand and price inflation.

Leverage education and professional networks

Champaign County's university presence creates unique wealth-building opportunities through career advancement and alumni networks. Strategic career moves and continuing education can boost earnings above county averages and accelerate financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Champaign County

via HealthByCounty

Champaign leads Illinois in life expectancy

Residents here live to 78.8 years on average, outpacing both the U.S. average (76.1 years) and Illinois's state average (76.0 years) by nearly 3 years. Only 17.4% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate among peer counties.

Top performer statewide on longevity metrics

Champaign County's 78.8-year life expectancy ranks among Illinois's healthiest counties, well above the state average of 76.0 years. This 2.8-year advantage reflects better preventive care, healthier behaviors, or both.

Clear health advantage over regional peers

Champaign County's 78.8-year life expectancy leads all comparable central Illinois counties—beating Cass (76.8), Christian (75.8), and Clay (75.8) by significant margins. Its 17.4% poor/fair health rate is also the lowest in the region.

Strong provider access supports health outcomes

Champaign County boasts 104 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than double the national benchmark—and only 5.7% of residents are uninsured, below the state average of 6.3%. This robust infrastructure enables preventive and routine care.

Maximize your existing health coverage

With low uninsured rates and strong provider networks, Champaign County residents are well-positioned—but coverage gaps still exist. Renew or upgrade your plan during open enrollment at Healthcare.gov to ensure continuous access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Champaign County

via RiskByCounty

Champaign County faces moderate disaster risk

Champaign County's composite risk score of 90.46 places it significantly above the national average, with a Relatively Moderate risk rating. This score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly flooding and tornadoes.

Second-highest risk in Illinois

At 90.46, Champaign County ranks among the most hazardous counties in Illinois, surpassed only by Cook County's 99.97. The county's score substantially exceeds the state average of 54.46, indicating above-average exposure to weather-related disasters.

Riskiest county in central Illinois

Champaign County (90.46) faces dramatically higher disaster risk than adjacent Christian County (54.04) and Coles County (70.36). It stands as the highest-risk county in its immediate region.

Tornadoes and floods pose major threats

Tornado risk dominates at 94.85, making Champaign one of Illinois's most tornado-prone counties, while flood risk scores 90.36—both well above state averages. Together, these two hazards account for the county's elevated composite risk profile.

Comprehensive coverage essential for residents

Champaign County residents should maintain robust homeowners insurance with specific tornado and flood protections, as standard policies often exclude flood damage. Safe room construction and emergency planning are equally critical given the region's significant severe weather exposure.

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.