CountyScore

Crawford County

Illinois · IL

#18 in Illinois
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Illinois

Crawford outpaces the nation

Crawford County's composite score of 66.7 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong showing reflects particularly affordable housing and manageable tax burdens that resonate across rural Illinois.

Above average for Illinois

At 66.7, Crawford ranks above Illinois's state average of 62.1, securing its position among the state's stronger-performing counties. This edge comes primarily from cost advantages that define the county's livability profile.

Affordability and low taxes shine

Crawford excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 82.7, backed by a median home value of just $113,700 and rent at $761 monthly. Its tax score of 58.5 reflects an effective rate of 1.556%, the lowest among these eight counties.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 27.5 reveals a significant gap, with median household income at $67,614 trailing state and national peers. Data gaps around safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevent a complete livability picture.

Perfect for budget-conscious families

Crawford County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing affordability over income growth and urban amenities. The low tax burden and housing costs create real monthly savings for those willing to embrace rural living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax58.5Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth73.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.5Risk63WaterComing Soon
🏛58.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡63
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford's taxes sit well below national norms

Crawford County's effective tax rate of 1.556% falls significantly below the national median property tax of $2,690, with homeowners here paying just $1,769 annually on a median home worth $113,700. This positions Crawford in the lower third nationally—residents pay less in absolute dollars and at a lower rate than most American counties.

Among Illinois' lowest tax counties

At 1.556%, Crawford County's effective rate ranks well below Illinois' state average of 1.831%, placing it among the more affordable counties in the state. The median tax bill of $1,769 reflects property values that are roughly 40% lower than the state average, keeping overall tax burden modest.

Crawford keeps taxes lower than peers

Crawford's 1.556% rate beats neighboring Edgar County (1.544%) in a close race for the region's lowest taxes, while De Witt County to the north carries a noticeably higher 1.849% rate. Among this cluster of central Illinois counties, Crawford offers middle-of-the-road affordability with one of the region's lowest home values.

What $1,769 annually buys you

On a median home valued at $113,700, Crawford County property owners pay approximately $1,769 per year in taxes without a mortgage, or $2,113 for those carrying a mortgage. This translates to roughly $147 per month for unencumbered properties—modest compared to the national average tax of nearly $2,700.

You might be paying too much

Many Illinois property owners discover their assessments are higher than market reality, making tax appeals a worthwhile strategy. Crawford County residents should review their assessment notices and consider challenging inflated valuations to potentially reduce their already-modest tax bills further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Crawford keeps housing costs reasonable

Renters in Crawford County spend just 13.5% of their income on rent, beating the national average and staying well below what most Americans pay. With a median household income of $67,614—slightly below the U.S. median of $74,755—residents still find housing within reach compared to pricier metro areas.

Crawford ranks well statewide

Crawford's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks favorably across Illinois, where the state average sits at 14.7%. The county's median rent of $761 per month also undercuts Illinois's state average of $837, making it one of the more affordable corners of the state.

Competitive with nearby counties

Crawford's $761 median rent is nearly identical to Cumberland County ($756) and Edgar County ($757), offering similar affordability to renters across this rural region. Housing costs climb sharply in neighboring DeKalb County, where renters pay $1,041 per month and face an 18.1% rent-to-income squeeze.

Both renting and buying cost less here

Crawford renters pay an average of $761 monthly, while homeowners spend $796 on mortgages—both figures reflect modest housing expenses relative to the $67,614 median household income. With a median home value of $113,700, ownership remains accessible for those ready to build equity.

Consider Crawford if affordability matters

If you're seeking rural Illinois living without breaking the budget, Crawford offers stable housing costs across both rental and ownership markets. Compare these numbers to pricier Illinois counties like DuPage ($1,628 rent, 17.7% ratio) to see your potential savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford Trails National Median by 9.5%

Crawford County's median household income of $67,614 falls below the U.S. median of $74,755, a gap of roughly $7,141 per year. This positions Crawford in the lower-middle range nationally, where income variation is significant across rural and urban counties.

Slightly Above Illinois Average

Crawford's median income of $67,614 edges past Illinois's state average of $68,580 by just $1,034, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 102 counties. The county's per capita income of $34,276 lags the state average of $36,009, suggesting income concentration in fewer households.

Competitive with Regional Peers

Among neighboring counties, Crawford's $67,614 median is stronger than Edgar ($56,909) and Edwards ($59,386) but trails DeKalb ($69,022) and Cumberland ($69,826). Crawford sits firmly in the middle of this rural cluster, with housing values reflecting similar economic conditions.

Rent Stays Affordable Here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 13.5%, Crawford households spend well below the 30% affordability threshold, making housing relatively accessible. A median home value of $113,700 remains within reach for families earning near the county median, though wage growth will determine long-term affordability.

Build Wealth in Affordable Crawford

Crawford's low housing costs create an opportunity: households can allocate more of their income to savings and investment than neighbors in pricier counties. Starting a retirement plan or diversified investment portfolio now positions Crawford families to build equity and security for the future.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford lives slightly longer than average

At 76.7 years, Crawford County's life expectancy edges out the U.S. average of 76.4 years, suggesting residents enjoy health outcomes comparable to the nation overall. However, 17.9% of adults report poor or fair health, slightly above national trends, indicating room for improvement in day-to-day wellness.

Outperforming Illinois on longevity

Crawford County's 76.7-year life expectancy ranks above Illinois's state average of 76.0 years, placing it in the healthier half of Illinois counties. This modest edge reflects better-than-average health outcomes in a state where longevity varies significantly by region.

Competitive health metrics locally

Crawford's 76.7-year life expectancy matches or slightly exceeds neighboring counties like Edwards (76.1) and De Witt (75.1), though it trails DuPage County's 81.3-year benchmark. The 17.9% poor/fair health rate places Crawford in the middle of the regional range, neither leading nor lagging significantly.

Healthcare access mirrors state norms

Crawford County's 5.9% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 6.3%, meaning most residents have insurance coverage. With 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 240 mental health providers per 100,000, Crawford offers reasonable access to both routine and behavioral health services.

Secure your coverage today

Nearly 6% of Crawford County residents still lack health insurance—that's roughly 1 in 17 people without protection against medical emergencies. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local enrollment assistant to explore affordable plans and ensure you're covered.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 37.02, Crawford County sits firmly in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. This means residents face substantially lower exposure to natural disasters than most Americans, though localized hazards still warrant attention.

Among Illinois's safer counties

Crawford's 37.02 score ranks it in the lower third of Illinois counties, where the state average is 54.46. The county consistently underperforms the state average across multiple hazard types, making it one of Illinois's more naturally resilient communities.

Comparable to nearby southern Illinois

Cumberland County (25.86) and Edwards County (26.14) carry even lower risk, while De Witt County (29.26) sits just slightly below Crawford. All four counties cluster in the very low risk range, reflecting similar geographic and climatic conditions across this region of Illinois.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats

Crawford faces its highest relative risks from earthquakes (84.83) and tornadoes (44.37), though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flooding at 43.70 rounds out the significant concerns, making preparedness for severe weather the priority for residents.

Secure coverage for weather hazards

Despite low overall risk, tornado and flood insurance deserve consideration given Crawford's moderate exposure to these events. A conversation with a local insurance agent about your specific property location can ensure you're protected against the county's primary threats.

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.