CountyScore

De Witt County

Illinois · IL

#39 in Illinois
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About De Witt County, Illinois

De Witt meets national standards

De Witt County's composite score of 62.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability for a rural Midwestern county. The score reflects balanced affordability and manageable tax structure.

Right at Illinois average

De Witt scores exactly at Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's livability spectrum. This middle-ground position suggests consistent, if unremarkable, quality of life indicators.

Housing costs remain reasonable

De Witt's cost score of 80.0 supports affordability with median home values at $124,200 and rent averaging $857 monthly. The tax score of 50.3, reflecting a 1.849% effective rate, keeps the overall fiscal load moderate.

Incomes and missing data

The income score of 25.7 and median household income of $64,802 suggest limited economic opportunity in the county. Gaps in safety, health, education, and environmental data leave important livability questions unanswered.

Solid choice for modest budgets

De Witt County suits families and individuals seeking stability over excitement, with modest but steady affordability. It's a pragmatic pick for those comfortable with small-town life and willing to trade higher incomes for lower living costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax50.3Cost80SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk70.8WaterComing Soon
🏛50.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡70.8
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 De Witt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Polk County
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Deep Dives

De Witt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in De Witt County

via TaxByCounty

De Witt taxes moderate compared to nation

De Witt County's effective tax rate of 1.849% slightly exceeds the national median, but the county's median property tax of $2,297 remains well below the national median of $2,690. Lower home values—averaging $124,200 versus the national $281,900—keep absolute tax bills manageable despite a slightly above-average rate.

Slightly above state average rates

De Witt County's 1.849% effective rate marginally exceeds Illinois' state average of 1.831%, placing it just above the middle of the pack statewide. The median tax bill of $2,297 tracks slightly below the state average of $2,782, reflecting the county's lower property valuations offsetting its slightly higher rate.

De Witt's highest rate in the central cluster

At 1.849%, De Witt County carries the highest effective rate among its Crawford (1.556%), Cumberland (1.757%), and Edgar (1.544%) neighbors in central Illinois. The higher rate correlates with slightly above-average home values of $124,200, making De Witt marginally less affordable for property owners in this region.

Expect roughly $2,297 in annual taxes

De Witt County homeowners pay approximately $2,297 yearly on a median-valued home of $124,200—translating to about $191 per month. Those with mortgages face higher bills at $2,576 annually, while mortgage-free owners pay $1,925, suggesting variation in assessment practices across the county.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

De Witt County residents experiencing unexpectedly high tax bills should request their assessment record and compare it against recent property sales. Many homeowners successfully reduce taxes by presenting evidence of lower market values or challenging obsolete assessments that predate recent economic shifts.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in De Witt County

via CostByCounty

De Witt renters stretch tight budgets

De Witt County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio signals housing affordability stress compared to the national average, with renters spending a notably higher share of income on shelter. At $857 per month, the median rent consumes substantial resources from the county's $64,802 median household income—$10,000 below the national median.

De Witt struggles with state averages

De Witt's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average, placing it among the state's less affordable counties. While the median rent of $857 is only slightly above the state average of $837, the combination of lower local income and higher relative costs creates affordability pressure.

Higher costs than similar rural counties

De Witt's $857 median rent stands noticeably above Crawford ($761), Cumberland ($756), and Edgar County ($757)—a $100+ gap that adds up quickly for renters. The county's affordability challenge reflects higher housing demand relative to its peer rural markets.

Income doesn't keep pace with housing costs

De Witt renters spend $857 monthly on housing from a $64,802 annual income, consuming 15.9% of earnings—well above the comfort threshold of 12-13%. Homeowners face similar pressure at $854 monthly on properties valued at $124,200, leaving limited financial flexibility for other needs.

De Witt requires budget discipline

If relocating to De Witt, expect to dedicate a substantial portion of income to housing compared to neighboring rural counties. Compare carefully to more affordable options like Crawford or Cumberland to determine if the trade-offs align with your financial priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in De Witt County

via IncomeByCounty

De Witt Lags Nation by 13.3%

De Witt County's median household income of $64,802 sits $9,953 below the national median of $74,755, a significant gap for rural Illinois. This 13.3% deficit reflects De Witt's agricultural economy and smaller population base compared to national averages.

Below Illinois Average by $1,778

De Witt trails the Illinois state median of $68,580 by $1,778, ranking in the lower-middle range of state counties. However, its per capita income of $36,977 slightly exceeds the state average of $36,009, suggesting income is spread across more households here.

Weakest Among Immediate Peers

De Witt's $64,802 median is the lowest in this county cluster, behind Crawford ($67,614), Cumberland ($69,826), and DeKalb ($69,022). The gap to wealthier DeKalb reaches $4,220, a measurable disadvantage in regional economic terms.

Housing Strain Emerging

De Witt's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% approaches the affordability threshold, creeping toward 16% of household budget devoted to rent. Combined with relatively modest median incomes, this suggests some households face tighter housing affordability despite a median home value of $124,200.

Strategic Planning Matters More Here

With tighter income-to-expense ratios, De Witt households benefit most from intentional financial planning: budgeting, emergency savings, and employer retirement plans become essential tools. Working with a financial advisor to optimize household cash flow can free resources for long-term wealth building despite modest current income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in De Witt County

via HealthByCounty

De Witt's life expectancy lags nationally

De Witt County residents live to 75.1 years on average, falling short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years by roughly 16 months. With 16.4% reporting poor or fair health, De Witt faces health challenges that warrant attention to chronic disease prevention and care quality.

Below-average longevity for Illinois

De Witt County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks below Illinois's state average of 76.0 years, placing it in the lower half of Illinois counties. This signals that residents face greater health headwinds compared to the state overall.

Shortest life expectancy in the region

At 75.1 years, De Witt County has the lowest life expectancy among nearby counties, trailing Cumberland (77.1), Crawford (76.7), and Edwards (76.1) significantly. Addressing underlying health disparities could help close this gap with neighboring communities.

Limited primary care capacity

De Witt County's 5.7% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 6.3%, but the county faces tighter healthcare access with only 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. The 65 mental health providers per 100,000 offer some behavioral health support, though supply remains constrained.

Insurance alone isn't enough

While 94% of De Witt residents have insurance, the county's shorter life expectancy suggests barriers beyond coverage—such as provider shortages or health literacy—may limit care access. Ensure your coverage is adequate for your needs at healthcare.gov and discuss preventive care with your provider.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in De Witt County

via RiskByCounty

De Witt well protected from disasters

De Witt County's composite risk score of 29.26 earns a "Very Low" rating, placing it far below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Residents in De Witt enjoy substantially better odds than typical American households facing multiple hazard types.

Ranks among Illinois's safest

De Witt's 29.26 score falls in the lower quarter of Illinois counties, well below the state average of 54.46. The county's central location and geographic characteristics combine to create a comparatively low-hazard environment.

Sits between Crawford and the safest

De Witt (29.26) ranks safer than Crawford County (37.02) but slightly above Cumberland (25.86) and Edwards (26.14) in the immediate region. This foursome of Illinois counties represents the state's most naturally disaster-resistant communities.

Tornadoes present the primary threat

Tornado risk tops De Witt's hazard list at 44.12, representing the only significant exposure among multiple weather types. Earthquakes (65.74) rank second but remain relatively low in absolute terms, while flooding (30.31) and other hazards fall well below state averages.

Prioritize tornado readiness and insurance

Standard homeowners insurance with wind coverage protects against De Witt's primary tornado threat, supplemented by a household tornado safety plan. The county's low overall risk means basic preparedness steps provide excellent protection for most 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.