countyscore
55.6
County Score
Schools 89.3Safety 80.9Soil Quality 77.8

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Illinois

Beating the National Median

Douglas County earns a 55.6 composite score, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. It offers a higher quality of life than the average U.S. county.

Above the State Average

The county's 55.6 score exceeds the Illinois average of 52.8. It performs well compared to many of its peers across the state.

Elite Education and Safety

An exceptional School score of 89.3 and a Safety score of 80.9 make this a standout for families. Strong household incomes ($74,186) further bolster the Income score of 76.1.

Water and Tax Infrastructure

The Water score is low at 29.3, indicating infrastructure concerns. Meanwhile, the Tax score of 5.0 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.813% that pressures local budgets.

The Verdict: A Family Choice

Douglas County is a premier destination for families who prioritize top-tier education and public safety. Its strong income profile helps offset the higher property tax rates.

2040608010054880.952.689.376.137.929.352.5Tax5Cost48Safety80.9Health52.6Schools89.3Income76.1Risk37.9Water29.3Weather52.555.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Douglas County DNA

Foverall

How Douglas County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Douglas County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Schools (89.3/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
5-47
Cost
48
Safety
80.9+25.900000000000006
Health
52.6
Schools
89.3+35.3
Income
76.1+25.099999999999994
Risk
37.9-9.100000000000001
Water
29.3-28.7
Weather
52.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$142,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$818/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$142,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,186/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

25.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Coles County
Illinois
57.4
Piatt County
Illinois
54.9
Moultrie County
Illinois
58.4
Champaign County
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Edgar County
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Cumberland County
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Shelby County
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Macon County
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Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Douglas County

via CrimeByCounty

Douglas County: Secure by National Standards

Douglas County earns an impressive safety score of 99.3, placing it well ahead of most U.S. counties. Its total crime rate of 456.5 per 100,000 is roughly five times lower than the national average. Seven different agencies work together to maintain this safe environment.

Surpassing the State Safety Average

With a crime rate of 456.5, Douglas County is much safer than the typical Illinois county, where the average rate is 835.0. It also beats the state's average safety score of 98.7. Local law enforcement efforts keep both violent and property crime well below state benchmarks.

Comparing Douglas to the Region

Douglas County is safer than nearby Effingham, where the crime rate is 1,482.9 per 100,000 residents. However, it sees more activity than Cumberland County, which reports a remarkably low rate of 105.3. It occupies a comfortable middle ground for safety in East Central Illinois.

A Look at the Douglas Crime Data

Violent crime is rare here, occurring at a rate of 71.0 per 100,000, which is far below the state's 160.1 average. Property crime stands at 385.5, representing the majority of all reported incidents in the county. These figures suggest a low-risk environment for families and businesses.

Maintaining Security in Douglas County

To keep property crime rates low, residents should ensure all entry points are well-lit and secured. Consider installing motion sensors around garages and sheds to deter opportunistic theft. Community awareness is the best tool for preserving Douglas County’s high safety rating.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Douglas County

via SchoolsByCounty

Douglas County's Efficient Education Layout

Ten public schools serve 2,911 students across Douglas County, split evenly between town and rural settings. Four school districts manage this infrastructure, which includes four high schools and four elementary schools.

Top-Tier Graduation and Performance Scores

Douglas County excels with a 96.2% graduation rate, nearly 10 points higher than the national average. A school score of 62.8 and per-pupil spending of $9,788 both outpace Illinois state averages, signaling high quality and investment.

Arthur and Tuscola Districts Lead

Arthur CUSD 305 is the largest district with 1,008 students, closely followed by Tuscola CUSD 301 with 948 students. No charter schools operate in the county, maintaining a focus on traditional public district performance.

Small Schools with a Town Focus

The average school size is a manageable 291 students, offering personalized attention in both rural and town locales. Arcola Elementary is the largest campus at 407 students, while Tuscola High School serves 297.

Relocate for Academic Excellence

The 96.2% graduation rate makes Douglas County one of the strongest academic choices in the region. Look for homes in Arthur or Tuscola to benefit from these high-performing, well-funded school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Douglas County

via WaterByCounty

High Violation Rates Drive F Grade

Douglas County struggles with drinking water compliance, recording 13 health violations over the last five years. The violation rate of 70.6 per 100,000 residents is significantly higher than the state average of 48.7. These frequent breaches of health standards indicate a need for urgent infrastructure or treatment improvements.

Over Half of Waterways Face Impairment

Data from the 2022 cycle shows that 51.2% of the county's 650 assessed water bodies are impaired. This rate is much higher than the Illinois average of 38.0%, with phosphorus and total suspended solids topping the list of causes. Agricultural runoff is a likely contributor to these elevated nutrient and sediment levels.

Dense Monitoring Network Tracks Major Groups

Despite compliance issues, the county has 13 monitoring sites that have recorded 2,927 measurements in the last five years. The focus remains on inorganic and physical characteristics, including metals. This active data collection is vital for identifying the sources of the county's significant watershed impairments.

Missing Real-Time Flow Data

The Kaskaskia River at Chesterville currently lacks live discharge data in the USGS system. Without real-time flow metrics, it is difficult to determine how current volumes are impacting the concentration of pollutants like phosphorus. Monitoring relies heavily on historical data and the active sampling network.

Take Active Steps for Safe Drinking Water

The high violation rate (70.6) makes home water testing and high-quality filtration essential for Douglas County residents. Because over half of the waterways are impaired by phosphorus and solids, avoiding recreational contact after heavy rains is advised. Support local efforts to improve municipal treatment facilities and reduce agricultural runoff.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Douglas County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Temperatures with Significant Heat

Douglas County averages 52.4°F annually, which is very close to the national median temperature. However, it experiences 27 extreme heat days per year, indicating a volatile summer season.

Aligning with the Illinois State Average

The county's average temperature of 52.4°F nearly matches the state average of 52.8°F. Its precipitation of 39.9 inches is slightly below the state norm of 41.7 inches.

A Typical Central Illinois Profile

Douglas County shares the flat, exposed landscape and weather of its neighbors in the heart of the state. It sees more heat days than northern counties but less snow than the Chicago region.

Hot Summers and Balanced Winters

Summer averages reach 73.7°F with 27 days topping 90°F. Winter remains manageable with 17.5 inches of snow and a January average of 26.0°F.

Manage the Summer Heat Swings

Air conditioning is a priority given the nearly four weeks of extreme heat each year. Residents should also keep winter gear ready for the 17.5 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Douglas County

via SoilByCounty

Ideal pH for diverse growth

Douglas County soil features a pH of 6.48, which perfectly matches the national median of 6.5. This balanced acidity allows plants to easily access the rich nutrients stored in the ground.

Smooth soils high in silt

The ground consists of 64.4% silt and 23.1% clay, creating a smooth and cohesive texture. With sand at only 12.5%, the soil is highly effective at retaining minerals for crop production.

Rich in organic matter

Organic matter clocks in at 3.05%, surpassing the 2.94% state average. While the water capacity of 0.199 in/in is slightly below the state mean, the high organic content maintains excellent soil health.

Steady moisture with clay structure

While specific hydrologic data is limited, the high clay and silt percentages suggest a soil that holds water well. Careful bed preparation helps maintain proper drainage for sensitive garden plants.

High-performing Zone 6a gardens

Douglas County's 77.8 soil score indicates very high productivity for its Zone 6a climate. It is a prime location for growing everything from sweet peppers to hardy berry bushes.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Douglas County

via LawnByCounty

Resilient Lawns in Douglas

Douglas County features a lawn difficulty score of 72.3, outperforming the state average of 69.8. This Zone 6a county provides a hospitable environment for homeowners looking to maintain lush turf with standard care.

Balanced Heat and Rain

The county experiences 27 extreme heat days annually, exactly matching the Illinois state average. Combined with 39.9 inches of rain, the climate supports a steady growing season for most standard lawn types.

Optimal Soil Chemistry

A soil pH of 6.48 provides a perfect baseline for a healthy lawn, requiring little to no lime adjustment. The soil composition of 23.1% clay and 12.5% sand suggests good moisture retention for those hot July days.

Extreme Drought Persistence

The county has spent 40 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently in severe drought. Focus on maintaining lawn health through soil aeration rather than heavy watering during these restricted periods.

Best Grasses for Douglas

Zone 6a is excellent for Kentucky Bluegrass blends and Heat-Tolerant Fescues. For optimal root establishment, aim to finish seeding well before the first fall frost on October 20.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Douglas County's county score?
Douglas County, Illinois has a composite county score of 55.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Douglas County rank among counties in Illinois?
Douglas County ranks #42 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Douglas County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Douglas County is $2,586, with an effective tax rate of 1.81%. This earns Douglas County a tax score of 5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Douglas County?
The median household income in Douglas County, Illinois is $74,186 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Douglas County earns an income score of 76.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Douglas County, Illinois a good place to live?
Douglas County scores 55.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Douglas County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Douglas County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.