CountyScore

Cumberland County

Illinois · IL

#15 in Illinois
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Cumberland County, Illinois

Cumberland scores well nationwide

Cumberland County's composite score of 64.9 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly above the midpoint. This rural Illinois county demonstrates that livability extends well beyond urban centers.

Solid performer in Illinois

Cumberland's score of 64.9 exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1, ranking it among the state's more livable counties. The advantage stems from exceptional housing affordability paired with reasonable tax obligations.

Affordable housing and low taxes

Cumberland boasts a cost score of 82.9 with median home values of $117,700 and monthly rent at just $756. The tax score of 52.9 translates to an effective rate of 1.757%, keeping fiscal burdens light for residents.

Income levels lag behind potential

The income score of 29.0 reflects a median household income of $69,826, indicating limited high-earning opportunities. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remains unavailable for a fuller assessment.

Ideal for value-minded rural dwellers

Cumberland County appeals to cost-conscious families, agricultural workers, and retirees seeking small-town living with genuine affordability. The combination of low housing costs and minimal tax burden creates monthly financial breathing room.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.9Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29Risk74.2WaterComing Soon
🏛52.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.2
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 Cumberland County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Shoshone County
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Menard County
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Median income: $81,334

Deep Dives

Cumberland County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cumberland County

via TaxByCounty

Cumberland's taxes stay below the national line

Cumberland County's effective tax rate of 1.757% and median tax bill of $2,068 both fall short of the national median property tax of $2,690. On homes worth significantly less than the national median of $281,900, Cumberland residents enjoy lower absolute tax payments despite rates slightly below the national norm.

Near state average but still reasonable

Cumberland County's 1.757% effective rate sits just below Illinois' state average of 1.831%, making it a middle-of-the-pack performer statewide. With a median property tax of $2,068 compared to the state average of $2,782, Cumberland offers slightly better-than-average value for Illinois property owners.

Cumberland strikes a balance in the region

At 1.757%, Cumberland ranks between Crawford County's lower 1.556% rate and De Witt County's higher 1.849%, positioning it as the regional middle ground. The county's median home value of $117,700 closely mirrors Crawford's, making tax competitiveness similar across this cluster of central Illinois counties.

Budget $2,068 annually for taxes

Cumberland County homeowners pay approximately $2,068 per year in property taxes on a median home valued at $117,700—roughly $172 monthly. Mortgage payers see minimal variation at $2,025 annually, while owners without mortgages pay $2,103, reflecting the county's relatively stable assessment practices.

Assessment review could lower your bill

Illinois property owners frequently find their homes overvalued in county assessments, creating opportunities for tax reduction through formal appeals. Cumberland residents should compare their assessed value to recent comparable sales in their neighborhood—a mismatch could mean significant savings over time.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cumberland County

via CostByCounty

Cumberland beats national housing affordability

With a 13.0% rent-to-income ratio, Cumberland County renters spend less than the national average and significantly less than most U.S. households. The county's median household income of $69,826 pairs with modest $756 monthly rent, making housing one of the region's biggest financial advantages.

Among Illinois's most affordable counties

Cumberland ranks as one of Illinois's strongest performers on housing affordability, with a 13.0% rent-to-income ratio well below the state average of 14.7%. At $756 per month, the median rent trails the state average by $81, offering genuine savings for renters statewide.

Slightly cheaper than surrounding counties

Cumberland's $756 rent is virtually tied with Crawford County ($761) and Edgar County ($757), anchoring this rural region's affordability. The nearby college town of DeKalb County pushes significantly higher at $1,041 monthly, reflecting different economic drivers in that market.

Renters and buyers both see savings

Cumberland renters allocate just 13.0% of their $69,826 median income to the $756 monthly rent, leaving substantial room in household budgets. Homeowners pay $785 monthly on properties valued at $117,700, offering a gentle entry point into ownership for working families.

Strong affordability draws smart relocators

Cumberland delivers genuine housing affordability without sacrificing access to rural community life and stability. Families relocating from expensive metros should compare these costs to Illinois's pricier counties to understand their purchasing power gain.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cumberland County

via IncomeByCounty

Cumberland Just Below U.S. Average

Cumberland County's median household income of $69,826 sits $4,929 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the mainstream of American counties. The gap represents about 6.6% difference, suggesting Cumberland's economy operates at a modest disadvantage to the typical U.S. county.

Exceeds State Average by $1,246

Cumberland ranks above Illinois's median household income of $68,580 by $1,246, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. The county's per capita income of $36,270 also exceeds the state average of $36,009, indicating relatively balanced income distribution.

Solid Performer Among Rural Counties

Cumberland's $69,826 income edges out Crawford ($67,614) and DeKalb ($69,022), though it trails the wealthier suburban outliers. For a rural county, Cumberland competes well, with housing values of $117,700 reflecting its economic stability.

Housing Costs Well-Controlled

Cumberland's rent-to-income ratio of 13.0% is among the lowest in this county cluster, well below the 30% affordability guideline. Median home values of $117,700 remain accessible for families at the county median income, supporting sustainable homeownership.

Invest Your Housing Savings

Because Cumberland residents spend just 13% of income on rent, they have greater capacity than national averages to invest in education, small business, or long-term wealth vehicles. Taking advantage of this affordability window through disciplined saving can compound financial security over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cumberland County

via HealthByCounty

Cumberland outlives the nation

Cumberland County residents live to 77.1 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years by seven months. With only 16.2% reporting poor or fair health, Cumberland demonstrates strong population health relative to national benchmarks.

Among Illinois's healthiest counties

At 77.1 years, Cumberland County exceeds Illinois's state average life expectancy of 76.0 years and ranks in the top tier of Illinois counties. The low 16.2% poor/fair health rate further signals that Cumberland residents enjoy better-than-average wellness.

Leading the local health landscape

Cumberland's 77.1-year life expectancy ranks it second only to DeKalb County (77.3) among nearby peers, and its 16.2% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the immediate region. This positions Cumberland as a health leader in central Illinois.

Low uninsured rate, limited provider data

Cumberland County boasts a 5.0% uninsured rate—the lowest among the featured counties and well below Illinois's 6.3% average, meaning most residents have insurance access. While primary care provider data is limited, the county offers 68 mental health providers per 100,000 residents.

Keep coverage strong in Cumberland

With only 5% of residents uninsured, Cumberland has done well enrolling its population, but those without coverage remain vulnerable to financial hardship from medical costs. If you're among the uninsured, check healthcare.gov to find affordable options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cumberland County

via RiskByCounty

Cumberland's risk sits well below average

At 25.86, Cumberland County's composite risk score places it in the "Very Low" category, substantially safer than the national average. This low exposure makes Cumberland one of Illinois's most naturally protected communities for disaster-prone households.

Second-safest county in Illinois

Cumberland ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Illinois, with its 25.86 score nearly half the state average of 54.46. Only a handful of Illinois counties enjoy comparable natural disaster protection.

Safest in a low-risk cluster

Cumberland's 25.86 edges out Edwards County (26.14) as the region's safest, while Crawford County (37.02) and De Witt County (29.26) follow closely behind. This tight cluster of southern and central Illinois counties reflects genuinely favorable natural hazard profiles.

Tornado and hurricane the main concerns

Cumberland's highest risk scores come from tornadoes (30.06) and hurricanes (32.96), both moderate rather than severe. Flooding at 33.49 represents the third significant hazard, though all three remain well-managed through standard preparedness measures.

Standard homeowners coverage likely sufficient

Given Cumberland's very low risk profile, standard homeowners insurance paired with a basic tornado safety plan provides solid protection. Still, verify your coverage includes wind damage, since tornado preparedness remains the most practical investment for residents.

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.