Clark County scores 64.4, well above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 64th percentile nationwide. This positions it as a genuinely livable community by national standards.
2 / 5
Tops state average in Illinois
At 64.4, Clark County exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it among the strongest-performing counties statewide. It ranks among the top tier for overall livability in the state.
3 / 5
Income and affordability both strong
Clark County stands out with an Income Score of 29.5 and median household income of $70,625—the highest among this group. Combined with a Cost Score of 80.3, competitive home values of $123,100, and a low tax rate of 1.684%, it offers rare balance.
4 / 5
Limited data on schools and safety
Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remains unavailable for Clark County. Prospective residents should independently verify these critical livability dimensions before relocating.
5 / 5
Best for balanced, working families
Clark County suits families seeking good incomes, reasonable housing costs, and favorable taxes in one package. It offers the rare combination of livability and earning potential that appeals to those building stable, prosperous lives in rural Illinois.
Clark County scores 64.4, well above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 64th percentile nationwide. This positions it as a genuinely livable community by national standards.
Tops state average in Illinois
At 64.4, Clark County exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it among the strongest-performing counties statewide. It ranks among the top tier for overall livability in the state.
Income and affordability both strong
Clark County stands out with an Income Score of 29.5 and median household income of $70,625—the highest among this group. Combined with a Cost Score of 80.3, competitive home values of $123,100, and a low tax rate of 1.684%, it offers rare balance.
Limited data on schools and safety
Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remains unavailable for Clark County. Prospective residents should independently verify these critical livability dimensions before relocating.
Best for balanced, working families
Clark County suits families seeking good incomes, reasonable housing costs, and favorable taxes in one package. It offers the rare combination of livability and earning potential that appeals to those building stable, prosperous lives in rural Illinois.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛54.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
With an effective tax rate of 1.684%, Clark County sits below the national median of 1.56%—actually placing it in the 32nd percentile. The median property tax of $2,073 falls short of the national median of $2,690, offering modest tax relief compared to national norms.
Among the lowest-tax counties in Illinois
Clark County ranks 88th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate, putting it in the bottom 13%—the most tax-friendly in the state. At 1.684%, it undercuts the state average of 1.831% by 0.147 percentage points.
Tied for lowest taxes in the region
Clark County's 1.684% rate matches Christian County's 1.691% (Christian is slightly higher), making it one of the region's most affordable. It significantly undercuts Cass County (2.102%), Coles County (2.046%), Champaign County (2.070%), and Clinton County (1.859%).
What an average Clark County home costs annually
The median Clark County home valued at $123,100 generates an estimated $2,073 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,061, while those without mortgages pay $2,085.
Overassessed? A free appeal could help
Clark County homeowners who believe their properties are overassessed can file appeals with the county assessor at no upfront cost. Even in a lower-tax county, a successful reassessment can reduce your annual bill significantly.
At 14.1% of income spent on rent, Clark County residents enjoy affordability that beats both the Illinois average (14.7%) and national norms. With a median household income of $70,625—stronger than most rural Illinois peers—the $828 monthly rent burden remains comparatively light.
Above-average income lifts affordability
Clark County ranks among Illinois's more affordable rentals, combining the state's second-highest median income ($70,625) with rents just $9 below the state average. This income advantage translates directly into the county's impressive 14.1% rent-to-income ratio.
Best balance of income and rent costs
Clark County's $828 rent and $70,625 income offer the strongest affordability ratio among central Illinois neighbors, outperforming Coles ($793 rent on $56,040 income) and Christian ($729 rent on $59,253 income). The county's economic resilience reflects a diversified small-town base rather than single-industry reliance.
Manageable costs across both housing types
Renters spend $828 monthly and homeowners $871—a narrow spread reflecting consistent affordability across tenancy types. At $123,100 median home value and $70,625 household income, both groups experience housing burdens well within sustainable ranges.
Clark County rewards relocators seeking balance
Looking to move to Illinois with strong income prospects? Clark County combines above-average wages with below-average housing burdens—a rare combination. Its 14.1% rent ratio beats Cass (13.4%, but lower income), Christian (14.8%), and Coles (17.0%), making it a smart choice for budget-conscious newcomers.
Clark County's median household income of $70,625 trails the national median of $74,755 by $4,130. The county performs better than most rural Illinois peers, placing it closer to national norms.
Above-average income within Illinois
At $70,625, Clark County exceeds Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $2,045, ranking in the upper-middle tier of Illinois counties. This positions the county as one of east-central Illinois's stronger income markets.
Top earner among nearby counties
Clark County ($70,625) leads adjacent counties including Cass ($64,907), Christian ($59,253), and Coles ($56,040). The county's economic strength reflects a balanced mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and small business.
Excellent housing affordability
Clark County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% keeps housing costs well below the problematic 30% threshold. Combined with the county's income level, residents enjoy strong financial breathing room.
Clark County's advantage compounds over time
Residents with above-average county income and below-average housing costs can aggressively fund retirement and investment accounts. Starting a 529 education savings plan or increasing 401(k) contributions leverages Clark County's economic position for multi-generational wealth.
Clark County's 74.9-year life expectancy falls below both the U.S. average (76.1 years) and Illinois's state average (76.0 years) by about 1.1 years. The 15.2% poor/fair health rate is lower than some peers, yet life expectancy remains suppressed.
Among Illinois's shortest life expectancies
At 74.9 years, Clark County ranks in the bottom tier statewide, trailing Illinois's average of 76.0 years by 1.1 years. This gap signals underlying health challenges requiring targeted intervention.
Shortest lifespan in peer county group
Clark County's 74.9-year life expectancy is the lowest among comparable central Illinois counties, trailing Champaign (78.8), Cass (76.8), and Clay (75.8) by substantial margins. Mortality drivers warrant investigation.
Sparse mental health resources limit care
Clark County has only 33 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—significantly below peer averages—and 5.9% lack insurance coverage. This combination of scarce behavioral health resources and uninsurance may amplify health disparities.
Access mental health support through insurance
Mental health challenges often go untreated due to sparse providers and uninsurance. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore plans that include behavioral health coverage—many offer telehealth options to bridge local access gaps.
Clark County's composite risk score of 27.32 ranks among the safest in the nation, with a Very Low risk designation. This score indicates minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.
Illinois's safest county by risk level
Clark County (27.32) significantly underperforms the Illinois state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's lowest-risk regions. Residents enjoy substantially better disaster protection than most of their fellow Illinoisans.
Safest county in east-central Illinois
Clark County (27.32) ranks safer than all neighboring counties, including Cass County (38.65), Christian County (54.04), and Coles County (70.36). Its low-risk position makes it one of the most protected areas in the region.
Hurricane and earthquake risks highest
Clark County's earthquake score of 80.92 and hurricane risk of 39.97 represent its most significant hazard exposures. Even these scores remain well below state averages, reflecting the county's overall protective position.
Maintain standard coverage as precaution
While Clark County faces minimal disaster risk, residents should still maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with attention to earthquake coverage. Protecting your investment remains prudent even in low-risk areas.