CountyScore

Coles County

Illinois · IL

#76 in Illinois
60.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Coles County, Illinois

Above national baseline, modest showing

Coles County scores 60.1, surpassing the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 60th percentile nationally. This indicates solid, baseline livability without exceptional strengths.

Slightly below Illinois state average

At 60.1, Coles County falls just below Illinois's 62.1 state average, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier statewide. Most comparable Illinois counties offer similar or marginally better livability profiles.

Affordability provides the main value

Coles County delivers strong housing affordability with a Cost Score of 81.6, homes at $121,900, and rents of $793/month. These costs rank among the lowest in the cohort, benefiting budget-conscious residents.

Lowest income profile in the group

With an Income Score of just 20.0 and median household income of $56,040, Coles County has the lowest earning potential here. Tax burden also pressures households, with an effective rate of 2.046% and Tax Score of 44.7.

Suited to low-wage workers and retirees

Coles County works best for individuals or families with modest incomes, including retirees on fixed budgets and service-sector workers. The affordable housing partially offsets limited earning opportunities, making it viable for those not dependent on high wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax44.7Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome20Risk29.7WaterComing Soon
🏛44.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.7
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 Coles County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tulare County
California
60.4
Median income: $69,489
Henry County
Georgia
60.4
Median income: $81,612
Luzerne County
Pennsylvania
60.4
Median income: $62,321
Bowie County
Texas
60.4
Median income: $59,295
Coryell County
Texas
60.4
Median income: $68,904

Deep Dives

Coles County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Coles County

via TaxByCounty

Coles County taxes run above national average

At 2.046%, Coles County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. The median property tax of $2,494 surpasses the national median of $2,690 by about 7%, driven by moderate home values around $121,900.

Higher taxes than the Illinois average

Coles County ranks 28th among Illinois's 102 counties by effective tax rate at 2.046%, above the state average of 1.831% by 0.215 percentage points. Its median property tax of $2,494 falls below the state median of $2,782, reflecting its smaller housing market.

Mid-to-high taxes in the central cluster

Coles County's 2.046% rate is higher than Clark County (1.684%), Christian County (1.691%), and Clinton County (1.859%), but lower than Cass County (2.102%) and Champaign County (2.070%). It sits in the region's upper-middle tier.

What an average Coles County home costs annually

The median Coles County home valued at $121,900 generates an estimated $2,494 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $2,759, while those without mortgages pay $2,186.

Appeals could reduce your annual tax bill

Coles County homeowners who suspect overassessment can appeal through the county assessor's office at no cost. Given the moderate tax burden, a successful reassessment could save homeowners $300–500 annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Coles County

via CostByCounty

Coles County housing strains household budgets

Renters here spend 17.0% of income on housing—above the Illinois average of 14.7% and a sign of affordability stress. The $56,040 median household income falls significantly below both state and national medians, amplifying the burden of the $793 monthly rent.

One of Illinois's least affordable counties

Coles County ranks among the state's worst affordability cases with a 17.0% rent-to-income ratio, exceeded only by Champaign (19.4%) and Cook (20.3%). The combination of below-average income and above-average rents creates consistent housing pressure on working families.

High rents on low income spell trouble

Coles County's $793 rent exceeds most rural neighbors like Cass ($723), Christian ($729), and Clay ($709), while its $56,040 income falls below all of them. This unfavorable mix explains the county's 17.0% burden—the worst among non-university, non-metro counties profiled.

Both housing types strain low-income households

Renters spend $793 monthly and homeowners $830, both significant relative to the $56,040 median income. The $121,900 median home value makes ownership viable only for households well above the median, leaving many renters permanently cost-burdened.

Coles County demands caution for relocators

Before moving to Coles County, understand its 17.0% rent burden ranks among Illinois's worst and that incomes average just $56,040. Compare it against nearby Cass (13.4% burden, $64,907 income) or Clark (14.1% burden, $70,625 income) to see if the location truly fits your financial situation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Coles County

via IncomeByCounty

Coles County well below U.S. income median

Coles County's median household income of $56,040 falls $18,715 short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks among the nation's lower-income rural areas, reflecting limited employment opportunities.

Bottom tier of Illinois income distribution

At $56,040, Coles County earns $12,540 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580. The county ranks in the lowest 15% of Illinois counties, consistent with south-central Illinois's rural economic patterns.

Lowest income among nearby counties

Coles County ($56,040) trails all adjacent counties, falling behind Clay County ($57,266), Christian County ($59,253), and significantly behind Clark County ($70,625). The county faces the most challenging income environment in its five-county region.

Housing costs strain tight household budgets

Coles County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% represents the highest burden among comparison counties, consuming more than half the recommended 30% housing threshold. The combination of low income and higher housing pressure limits financial flexibility.

Build resilience with steady, incremental progress

Coles County residents benefit most from employer-sponsored retirement plans and automatic payroll deductions that lock in savings before spending temptation. Even small contributions—$25-50 monthly—compound meaningfully over 20-30 years toward retirement security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Coles County

via HealthByCounty

Below national average, but room to recover

Coles County residents live to 75.3 years, below the U.S. average (76.1 years) and Illinois's state average (76.0 years) by nearly a year. With 18.7% reporting poor or fair health, chronic disease prevention is essential.

Below-average lifespan within Illinois

At 75.3 years, Coles County's life expectancy trails Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 0.7 years, placing it in the lower half statewide. This gap suggests targeted health improvement opportunities.

Among the lower-performing regional counties

Coles County's 75.3-year life expectancy ranks below Champaign (78.8), Cass (76.8), and Christian/Clay (75.8 each), trailing the region's leader by over 3 years. The 18.7% poor/fair health rate reflects mid-range regional burden.

Good provider access, elevated uninsured rate

Coles County offers 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, well above peer averages, yet 6.6% lack insurance—the highest rate in the study region. Coverage gaps likely persist despite available providers.

Close coverage gaps with open enrollment

Despite strong provider networks, Coles County's above-average uninsured rate means opportunity is being left on the table. Visit Healthcare.gov today to secure coverage and leverage the local provider advantage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Coles County

via RiskByCounty

Coles County faces moderate disaster risk

Coles County's composite risk score of 70.36 surpasses the national average, signaling above-average exposure to natural disasters. The Relatively Low rating reflects a mixed hazard profile with some significant exposures.

Above-average risk for Illinois

At 70.36, Coles County scores substantially higher than Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it in the upper half of state counties by risk level. Residents face greater hazard exposure than most other Illinoisans.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Coles County (70.36) ranks riskier than Cass County (38.65), Clark County (27.32), and Christian County (54.04), but safer than Champaign County (90.46). It represents one of the higher-risk areas in east-central Illinois.

Floods and tornadoes pose primary threats

Coles County's flood risk (74.49) and tornado risk (72.11) substantially exceed state averages and dominate the county's composite score. These two weather-related hazards represent the most significant disaster risks for residents.

Prioritize comprehensive weather coverage

Coles County residents should obtain separate flood insurance and ensure strong tornado coverage, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Developing a family emergency plan is equally essential given the county'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.