CountyScore

Clinton County

Illinois · IL

#59 in Illinois
63.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Clinton County, Illinois

Strong livability, above national median

Clinton County's score of 61.2 ranks in the 61st percentile nationally, exceeding the national median of 50.0. This reflects solid, above-average livability performance on a national scale.

Slightly below Illinois average

At 61.2, Clinton County trails Illinois's state average of 62.1 by less than one point, ranking it just slightly below middle-tier statewide. It performs comparably to most Illinois counties.

Incomes stand out in the group

Clinton County boasts the highest Income Score of 37.1 with a median household income of $82,314—meaningfully above peers. This strong earning potential is its defining livability advantage.

Housing costs rising with incomes

Median home values of $180,500 and rents of $934/month rank among the highest in this cohort, reflecting a cost of living that rises with local incomes. The Cost Score of 75.7 suggests housing affordability challenges despite higher wages.

Best for affluent families seeking growth

Clinton County suits households with strong incomes seeking communities where earning potential outpaces housing cost growth. It appeals to professionals and established families who prioritize career advancement and economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax50Cost75.7SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome37.1Risk34.4WaterComing Soon
🏛50
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼37.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.4
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 Clinton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Weld County
Colorado
63.1
Median income: $93,287
Indian River County
Florida
63.1
Median income: $71,049
Newton County
Georgia
63.1
Median income: $73,732
Scott County
Kansas
63.1
Median income: $67,788
Hardin County
Texas
63.1
Median income: $72,532

Deep Dives

Clinton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clinton County

via TaxByCounty

Clinton County taxes exceed national median

With an effective tax rate of 1.859%, Clinton County sits above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,356 surpasses the national median of $2,690, reflecting higher home values around $180,500.

Moderate taxes within Illinois

Clinton County ranks 52nd among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate at 1.859%, slightly above the state average of 1.831%. Its median property tax of $3,356 exceeds the state median of $2,782, indicating a more valuable housing market.

Middle ground in the regional tax landscape

Clinton County's 1.859% rate falls between the lower-tax counties like Clark (1.684%) and Christian (1.691%), and the higher-tax counties like Cass (2.102%) and Champaign (2.070%). It occupies the moderate tier regionally.

What an average Clinton County home costs annually

The median Clinton County home valued at $180,500 generates an estimated $3,356 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $3,610, while those without mortgages pay $2,956.

Overassessment could save you hundreds annually

Clinton County homeowners can file property tax appeals with the county assessor at no cost if they believe their homes are overassessed. A successful reassessment could reduce annual taxes by several hundred dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clinton County

via CostByCounty

Clinton County combines income and affordability

Residents spend just 13.6% of income on rent, beating the Illinois average and benefiting from a median household income of $82,314—10% above the national median. This income advantage, paired with the $934 monthly rent, creates one of Illinois's most affordable housing situations.

Highest income, lowest housing burden

Clinton County leads the state's seven profiled counties with the highest median income ($82,314) and near-lowest rent burden (13.6%, second only to Cass at 13.4%). The combination signals a county where working families and middle-class earners can afford housing comfortably.

Strong income offsets slightly higher rents

Clinton County's $934 rent exceeds most rural neighbors, yet its $82,314 income—significantly above Cass ($64,907), Christian ($59,253), and Clay ($57,266)—delivers superior affordability. The county's suburban-leaning character attracts commuters seeking economic security.

Balanced housing costs for strong earners

Renters pay $934 and homeowners $1,042, both manageable on a $82,314 median income that affords substantial financial breathing room. At $180,500, the median home value offers reasonable entry to ownership for households at or above the county median.

Clinton County rewards skilled relocators

If you're earning a solid middle-class income or above, Clinton County delivers exceptional value—the state's best income-to-housing ratio at 13.6%. Compare it against lower-cost but lower-income peers like Clay ($57,266) or Christian ($59,253); you'll likely come out ahead financially in Clinton despite slightly higher rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clinton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinton County exceeds national income median

Clinton County's median household income of $82,314 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $7,559. This strong performance places the county in the upper income tier nationally for rural counties.

Highest-income county profile in Illinois

At $82,314, Clinton County leads Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $13,734, placing it in the top 5% of Illinois counties. The county's income advantage reflects a robust industrial and agricultural economic base.

Clear income leader in regional cluster

Clinton County ($82,314) substantially outpaces neighboring counties, exceeding even Cook County's $81,797 and leading Cass County ($64,907) by $17,407. This positions Clinton County as the region's strongest income performer.

Comfortable housing-to-income ratio

Clinton County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% keeps housing costs efficient, allowing households to direct more income toward savings and investment. The combination of high income and low housing burden creates significant wealth-building potential.

Maximize tax-advantaged wealth strategies

Clinton County's above-average income qualifies many households for enhanced retirement contributions and college savings opportunities. Strategic tax planning—including maxing out HSAs, 529 plans, and spousal IRA contributions—accelerates wealth accumulation at this income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clinton County

via HealthByCounty

Clinton leads Illinois in longevity

Clinton County residents live to 79.2 years, surpassing both the U.S. average (76.1 years) and Illinois's state average (76.0 years) by over 3 years—the highest in the study. Only 16.4% report poor or fair health, reflecting strong overall wellness.

Healthiest county lifespan statewide

At 79.2 years, Clinton County's life expectancy is the top performer in Illinois, exceeding the state average of 76.0 years by 3.2 years. This distinction reflects sustained health advantages across the population.

Significantly outperforms all regional peers

Clinton County's 79.2-year life expectancy exceeds all comparable counties—Champaign (78.8), Cass (76.8), Christian (75.8), and Clay (75.8)—by meaningful margins. Its 16.4% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest regionally.

Solid provider access supports longevity

Clinton County has 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 5.7% uninsured—below the state average of 6.3%—supporting preventive care and continuity. This balanced infrastructure enables better long-term health management.

Maintain coverage to sustain success

Clinton County's health success depends partly on sustained insurance coverage. Renew your plan during open enrollment at Healthcare.gov to keep protective continuity.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clinton County

via RiskByCounty

Clinton County faces elevated risk

Clinton County's composite risk score of 65.59 exceeds the national average, with a Relatively Low rating that belies meaningful hazard exposure. The county experiences above-average disaster risk for the nation as a whole.

Above-average risk for Illinois

Clinton County (65.59) scores notably higher than Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it in the upper tier of state county risks. Residents face more significant hazard exposure than most of their fellow Illinoisans.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Clinton County (65.59) ranks riskier than Cass County (38.65) and Clark County (27.32), but safer than Champaign County (90.46). It represents the mid-to-upper risk level among central Illinois neighbors.

Tornadoes and floods are major threats

Clinton County's tornado risk (65.84) and flood risk (64.03) drive its elevated composite score, both substantially above state averages. These twin hazards represent the county's primary natural disaster concerns.

Secure flood and tornado protections

Clinton County residents should prioritize flood insurance and verify tornado coverage in their homeowners policies, as standard policies often exclude water damage. Safe room preparation and severe weather planning provide critical additional protection.

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.