CountyScore

Douglas County

Illinois · IL

#66 in Illinois
62.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Illinois

Douglas performs above national median

Douglas County's composite score of 63.0 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 13 points, reflecting strong livability fundamentals. The score positions it in the upper half of U.S. counties for overall quality of life.

Above Illinois state average

Douglas ranks above the Illinois state average of 62.1 with a score of 63.0, distinguishing it as one of the state's stronger performers. This consistency across state and national comparisons suggests genuine livability advantages.

Income and affordability balance

Douglas leads this group in income score at 31.8, backed by median household income of $74,186—the highest here. Cost score of 79.6 combines with median home values of $142,600 to offer reasonable housing alongside strong earning potential.

Tax burden moderate, data gaps remain

The tax score of 51.3 reflects a 1.813% effective rate, placing it in the middle range. Missing information on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors prevents a complete livability assessment.

Best bet for balanced living

Douglas County suits families seeking the sweet spot between income potential and affordable housing in rural Illinois. Strong median incomes and reasonable housing costs make it an excellent choice for those balancing economic opportunity with cost containment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax51.3Cost79.6SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk37.9WaterComing Soon
🏛51.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.9
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bay County
Florida
62.2
Median income: $70,188
Douglas County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $80,764
Muscogee County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $56,622
Sumter County
Georgia
62.2
Median income: $41,877
Linn County
Iowa
62.2
Median income: $76,421

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas taxes moderate but below national line

Douglas County's effective tax rate of 1.813% sits just below the Illinois state average of 1.831%, while its median property tax of $2,586 trails the national median of $2,690. With median home values of $142,600—nearly half the national average—Douglas residents enjoy below-national-average tax bills in absolute dollars.

Slightly below Illinois state average

At 1.813%, Douglas County's effective rate falls marginally below Illinois' state average of 1.831%, placing it firmly in the middle tier of state counties. The median tax bill of $2,586 versus the state average of $2,782 confirms Douglas offers slightly better value for Illinois property owners.

Douglas balances rate and values well

Douglas County's 1.813% rate positions it between De Witt County's higher 1.849% and Cumberland County's lower 1.757%, while its median home value of $142,600 exceeds most central Illinois peers. This combination makes Douglas moderately priced compared to the region, slightly ahead of De Witt but behind the pricier DeKalb.

Plan for roughly $2,586 in annual taxes

Douglas County homeowners pay approximately $2,586 yearly on a median-valued home of $142,600—translating to about $216 monthly. Mortgage holders face slightly higher bills at $2,800 annually, while mortgage-free owners pay $2,295, reflecting modest variation in how properties are assessed across the county.

Your assessment may be out of date

Douglas County residents should verify their assessment reflects current market conditions, especially if recent home sales in the neighborhood suggest lower values. Property tax appeals offer a straightforward path to potential savings and deserve consideration whenever assessments appear misaligned with reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas balances income and housing well

Douglas County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio aligns closely with national affordability benchmarks, supported by a median household income of $74,186—nearly matching the U.S. median. At $818 monthly, the median rent remains modest relative to local earning power.

Douglas stays below state averages

Douglas County's 13.2% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Illinois's 14.7% state average, and the $818 median rent sits just below the state mean of $837. The county strikes a solid balance on affordability compared to most Illinois peers.

Slightly higher rent, solid income buffer

Douglas's $818 rent exceeds Crawford ($761) and Cumberland ($756) by modest amounts, but the county's stronger median income of $74,186 provides better housing affordability cushion. Compared to DeKalb's $1,041 rent, Douglas offers substantial savings for similar rural character.

Strong income supports both renting and owning

Douglas renters spend $818 monthly—just 13.2% of the $74,186 median income—leaving healthy financial margins for other needs. Homeowners pay $927 monthly on properties valued at $142,600, positioning ownership as an accessible option for working families.

Douglas offers rural stability and affordability

Douglas County delivers solid housing affordability paired with income levels that protect household finances from housing cost shocks. For families seeking rural Illinois living with genuine financial breathing room, Douglas compares favorably to both nearby rural counties and state averages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas Nearly Matches National Median

Douglas County's median household income of $74,186 sits just $569 below the U.S. median of $74,755, effectively matching the nation. This near-perfect alignment demonstrates Douglas's position as an economically typical American county with balanced employment and demographic profiles.

Well Above Illinois Average

Douglas's median of $74,186 substantially exceeds Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $5,606, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. This $5,606 advantage over state average represents about 8.2% higher earnings, a meaningful gap in regional economic terms.

Strongest Among Rural Peers

Douglas's $74,186 leads this rural county cluster, besting Crawford ($67,614), DeKalb ($69,022), and Cumberland ($69,826) by significant margins. The county's $142,600 median home value sits right in the middle range, reflecting balanced housing costs relative to income.

Excellent Housing Affordability

Douglas's rent-to-income ratio of 13.2% is among the lowest in Illinois, well below affordability thresholds and nearly identical to neighboring Cumberland. With median incomes at national levels and restrained housing costs, Douglas residents enjoy comfortable housing security.

Strong Foundation for Wealth Building

Douglas households earning at national median levels with minimal housing burden have optimal conditions to invest in retirement accounts, education, and diversified portfolios. The combination of competitive income and affordable housing creates a powerful opportunity window for building long-term generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas lives longer despite high uninsured rate

Douglas County residents live to 77.6 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a full year. However, 19.2% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among featured counties—and 11.6% lack insurance, suggesting significant health inequities beneath the longevity headline.

Above-average lifespan, below-average health

Douglas County's 77.6-year life expectancy ranks above Illinois's 76.0-year state average, but its 19.2% poor/fair health rate is substantially higher than state norms. This disconnect suggests pockets of serious health challenges amid a longer-living overall population.

Highest uninsured rate locally

Douglas County's 11.6% uninsured rate is nearly double the state average and far exceeds neighboring counties like Cumberland (5.0%) and Crawford (5.9%), signaling serious gaps in health insurance access. The 19.2% poor/fair health rate is also the worst in the regional group.

Uninsured crisis limits healthcare access

Douglas County's 11.6% uninsured rate—affecting roughly 1 in 9 residents—creates barriers to routine care, with only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents to serve the population. Mental health support is severely constrained, with just 10 providers per 100,000, the lowest in the region.

Douglas urgently needs coverage action

Nearly 12% of Douglas County residents lack insurance—a crisis that drives poor health outcomes and financial hardship—yet help is available. Check healthcare.gov immediately to explore subsidized plans, or contact a local enrollment navigator for personalized assistance in finding affordable coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas moderately above national average

Douglas County's 62.12 composite risk score places it in the "Relatively Low" category but above the national average for disaster exposure. Residents face notably more hazard vulnerability than average Americans, though not in the high-risk tier.

Mid-range risk for Illinois

Douglas's 62.12 score sits slightly above Illinois's 54.46 state average, ranking it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 102 counties. The county faces more exposure than three-quarters of Illinois but less than the state's most hazard-prone communities.

Riskier than nearby low-risk counties

Douglas (62.12) faces roughly triple the risk of nearby Crawford (37.02) and De Witt (29.26), but remains safer than DeKalb (80.82). Its risk profile sits distinctly higher than its immediate region, reflecting different geographic characteristics.

Flooding and tornadoes top concern list

Douglas faces elevated flood risk at 60.05 and tornado exposure at 47.20, both moderately significant threats requiring attention. Earthquakes (76.43) and hurricanes (39.17) round out meaningful hazards, creating a multi-faceted natural disaster profile.

Secure flood and wind coverage now

Flood insurance is strongly recommended for Douglas County residents, given the county's elevated exposure to water hazards. Pair this with comprehensive homeowners coverage including tornado/wind protection, plus documented evacuation plans for your household.

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.