Christian County's score of 64.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. This marks it as a genuinely strong-performing county by national standards.
2 / 5
Outperforms Illinois state average
At 64.6, Christian County exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1 and ranks among the top performers statewide. It represents one of the better livability profiles available in the state.
3 / 5
Tax rates and housing drive the story
Christian County leads with an effective tax rate of just 1.691% and a Tax Score of 54.7, alongside excellent affordability with a Cost Score of 82.7. Homes average $112,100 and rents just $729/month, making it one of Illinois's most tax-efficient and affordable counties.
4 / 5
Median incomes remain modest
The Income Score of 22.1 reflects a median household income of $59,253, which lags state comparables. This suggests residents trade higher earnings potential for the lifestyle benefits of lower taxes and housing costs.
5 / 5
Perfect for tax-conscious budget builders
Christian County excels for families and retirees seeking maximum tax savings and housing affordability without sacrifice. It's ideal for those who prioritize financial efficiency over career advancement or high-wage employment.
Christian County's score of 64.6 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. This marks it as a genuinely strong-performing county by national standards.
Outperforms Illinois state average
At 64.6, Christian County exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1 and ranks among the top performers statewide. It represents one of the better livability profiles available in the state.
Tax rates and housing drive the story
Christian County leads with an effective tax rate of just 1.691% and a Tax Score of 54.7, alongside excellent affordability with a Cost Score of 82.7. Homes average $112,100 and rents just $729/month, making it one of Illinois's most tax-efficient and affordable counties.
Median incomes remain modest
The Income Score of 22.1 reflects a median household income of $59,253, which lags state comparables. This suggests residents trade higher earnings potential for the lifestyle benefits of lower taxes and housing costs.
Perfect for tax-conscious budget builders
Christian County excels for families and retirees seeking maximum tax savings and housing affordability without sacrifice. It's ideal for those who prioritize financial efficiency over career advancement or high-wage employment.
Score breakdown
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🏛54.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.691%, Christian County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 35th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,896 falls far short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower rates and modest home values.
Among Illinois's most tax-friendly counties
Christian County ranks 87th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate, meaning it's in the bottom 15%—the most favorable for property owners. At 1.691%, it runs 0.14 percentage points below the state average of 1.831%.
Lowest taxes in the central Illinois region
Christian County's 1.691% rate is the lowest among its peers, undercutting Clark County (1.684% is actually lower—correction: Clark at 1.684% is lowest), Cass County (2.102%), Coles County (2.046%), and Champaign County (2.070%). It offers regional tax relief for homeowners.
What an average Christian County home costs annually
The median Christian County home valued at $112,100 generates an estimated $1,896 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,070, while those without mortgages pay $1,588.
Even low-tax counties have overassessed properties
Christian County homeowners can still benefit from property tax appeals if their homes are overassessed. Contact your county assessor's office to request a free reassessment—it's a simple process with no cost if you're unsuccessful.
Renters in Christian County spend 14.8% of their income on housing, just above the Illinois average and well within national affordability bounds. With a median household income of $59,253—below both state and national medians—residents pay moderately for the income they earn.
Middle-of-the-pack affordability for Illinois
Christian County's 14.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the state average of 14.7%, placing it in the affordability mainstream. At $729 per month, the median rent tracks only $108 above the statewide median, typical for central Illinois small towns.
Slightly pricier than Cass, cheaper than Coles
Christian County's $729 rent edges up from Cass County ($723) but remains $64 below Coles County ($793), reflecting its position in the mid-tier of regional affordability. As a rural county without major university or metro draw, it avoids both urban premiums and extreme affordability outliers.
Modest gap between rent and ownership costs
Renters pay $729 monthly while homeowners spend $836, both reasonable relative to the $59,253 median income. The $112,100 median home value keeps homeownership within reach for working families, though neither tenure group experiences exceptional affordability.
Christian County offers solid middle ground
If you're comparing Illinois counties, Christian County delivers mainstream affordability—not a bargain like Cass, but not strained like Champaign or Cook. At $729 rent and a 14.8% burden, it suits relocators seeking a quiet, small-town setting with reasonable housing costs.
Christian County significantly below national average
Christian County's median household income of $59,253 falls $15,502 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county among the lower-income regions nationally, typical of central Illinois rural areas.
Lowest income tier in Illinois
At $59,253, Christian County earns $9,327 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580, placing it in the lower quarter of Illinois counties. The gap reflects the county's agricultural and small-town economic base.
Below most adjacent counties
Christian County ($59,253) trails all nearby peers: Cass County ($64,907), Clark County ($70,625), and Clay County ($57,266). Only Clay County approaches Christian County's income level in this five-county region.
Housing remains affordable despite low income
Christian County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% keeps housing affordable, though the low median income limits overall household financial flexibility. The favorable housing ratio provides some economic cushion for residents.
Small savings add up quickly here
Christian County's low cost of living means even modest income increases translate into meaningful wealth accumulation. Redirecting just 5-10% of household income into a savings account or employer retirement plan builds security faster in lower-cost regions.
Christian County residents live to 75.8 years, trailing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 0.3 years and Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 0.2 years. With 17.6% reporting poor or fair health, chronic disease prevention offers room for improvement.
Mid-pack health rank within Illinois
At 75.8 years, Christian County's life expectancy sits just below the Illinois state average of 76.0 years. This places it in the middle tier statewide, neither an outlier nor a leader.
Similar health profile to Clay County peers
Christian County's 75.8-year life expectancy matches Clay County exactly, though both lag Champaign County (78.8 years). The 17.6% poor/fair health rate aligns with regional trends, suggesting shared socioeconomic or environmental factors.
Christian County has 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, about 87% below national benchmarks, while 6.1% lack insurance—near the state average of 6.3%. The limited provider network may contribute to delayed diagnoses.
Don't delay—check coverage options today
With limited primary care access, having health insurance is especially critical in Christian County. Visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment to explore plans and potential subsidies for you and your family.
Christian County's composite risk score of 54.04 sits near the national average, with a Relatively Low risk rating overall. While not risk-free, the county experiences more manageable hazard exposure than many American regions.
Moderate-risk county for Illinois
Christian County (54.04) sits slightly at the Illinois state average of 54.46, placing it in the middle tier of state counties by risk level. This positioning means Christian County residents face roughly typical hazards for Illinois.
Moderate risk among nearby counties
Christian County (54.04) ranks safer than Champaign County (90.46) and Coles County (70.36), but slightly riskier than Cass County (38.65). Its central position among neighboring counties reflects balanced exposure to regional hazards.
Earthquakes and tornadoes are primary concerns
Earthquake risk dominates Christian County's profile at 87.18, while tornado risk registers at 44.75. Together these exceed the county's overall average, suggesting seismic activity poses the most significant individual threat.
Earthquake insurance becomes increasingly important
Christian County residents should prioritize earthquake coverage as part of a comprehensive insurance strategy, given the county's notably elevated seismic score. Standard homeowners policies should be reviewed annually to ensure adequate tornado protection as well.