CountyScore

DuPage County

Illinois · IL

#95 in Illinois
52.6
County Score

County Report Card

About DuPage County, Illinois

DuPage near national median, below Illinois

DuPage County's composite score of 48.0 falls just below the national median of 50.0, indicating middling livability by U.S. standards. This suburban county's score reflects a classic urban trade-off: higher incomes offset by substantially higher costs.

Significantly below Illinois average

At 48.0, DuPage trails the Illinois state average of 62.1 by a notable margin, ranking among the state's lower-scoring counties. This reflects the cost burden of affluent Chicago suburbs on overall livability metrics.

Highest incomes in the group

DuPage's income score of 55.5 is the highest here, driven by median household income of $110,502—more than 60% above some rural peers. This economic strength reflects suburban proximity to Chicago's job markets.

Steep housing and tax burden

The cost score of 49.5 reflects median home values of $374,100 and rent averaging $1,628 monthly, creating significant housing affordability challenges. Tax score of 43.4 (effective rate 2.094%) further strains household budgets despite high incomes.

For affluent suburban professionals

DuPage County suits high-income earners who prioritize suburban amenities, proximity to Chicago employment, and community infrastructure over overall cost efficiency. You'll pay premium prices for proximity and services rather than for livability value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax43.4Cost49.5SafetyComing SoonHealth81.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.5Risk2.4WaterComing Soon
🏛43.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠49.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.4
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 DuPage County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Illinois
52.6
Median income: $69,022
Winnebago County
Illinois
52.6
Median income: $64,363
Cameron County
Texas
52.6
Median income: $51,334
Monroe County
New York
52.5
Median income: $74,409
Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
52.4
Median income: $124,553

Deep Dives

DuPage County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in DuPage County

via TaxByCounty

DuPage's taxes track near national median

DuPage County's effective tax rate of 2.094% exceeds the national median rate, and its median property tax of $7,833 nearly triples the national median of $2,690. However, DuPage homes are worth substantially more—averaging $374,100 versus the national $281,900—making the higher absolute taxes reflective of greater property values rather than punitive rates.

Among Illinois' highest tax burden areas

DuPage County's 2.094% effective rate ranks well above Illinois' state average of 1.831%, placing it among the state's priciest counties. The median tax bill of $7,833 reflects a prosperous suburban county where strong property values and substantial municipal services drive higher overall tax obligations.

DuPage's wealth drives higher taxes

At 2.094%, DuPage County's rate exceeds most regional peers, though it trails DeKalb's exceptional 2.539%, while home values of $374,100 are the region's highest. DuPage represents affluent suburban development where higher property valuations naturally correlate with higher absolute tax bills and moderate-to-high effective rates.

Expect $7,833 annually in property taxes

DuPage County homeowners pay approximately $7,833 per year on a median home valued at $374,100—roughly $653 monthly. Mortgage holders see similar bills at $8,008 annually, while owners without mortgages pay $7,489, indicating relatively consistent assessment practices across this wealthy suburban county.

Even modest appeals yield substantial savings

With median tax bills exceeding $7,800, DuPage County homeowners have compelling financial reason to challenge assessments, as even 5-10% reductions translate to hundreds in annual savings. Professional assessment review services and formal tax appeals represent smart investments for DuPage property owners seeking to optimize their tax position.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in DuPage County

via CostByCounty

DuPage's housing costs reflect affluent demand

DuPage County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds national comfort levels, yet the county's exceptional $110,502 median household income—48% above the U.S. median—enables residents to absorb $1,628 monthly rent and maintain affluent lifestyles. This is high-cost housing for high-income households.

DuPage is Illinois's most expensive market

DuPage's $1,628 median rent dwarfs Illinois's $837 state average by nearly 95%, and the 17.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 14.7%. The county's wealth cushions affordability stress, but costs remain objectively steep even by Illinois standards.

Dramatically exceeds all peer counties

DuPage's $1,628 rent is more than double the $761-857 range across Crawford, Cumberland, and De Witt counties, reflecting suburban Chicago proximity and premium positioning. Even DeKalb, the region's other affordability outlier, rents at just $1,041—$587 below DuPage's median.

Highest-cost housing across all income tiers

DuPage renters spend $1,628 monthly while homeowners invest $1,901 on properties averaging $374,100—both the highest in this county group. The $110,502 median income justifies these costs relative to other residents, but absolute expenditures remain substantial.

DuPage suits affluent metro commuters

DuPage's cost structure targets high-income professionals seeking suburban Chicago access and excellent schools, not budget-conscious relocators. Those priced out of DuPage should compare to nearby DeKalb ($1,041) or rural alternatives like Crawford ($761) to understand available savings options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in DuPage County

via IncomeByCounty

DuPage Ranks Among Nation's Wealthiest

DuPage County's median household income of $110,502 is 47.7% above the national median of $74,755, placing it squarely in the nation's upper-income tier. This $35,747 advantage reflects DuPage's status as a premier suburban destination with concentrated corporate headquarters and professional employment.

Illinois's Richest County by Far

DuPage's median of $110,502 towers over Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $41,922, or 61.1% higher—the largest premium in this county cohort. Its per capita income of $57,051 nearly doubles the state average of $36,009, indicating extraordinary wealth concentration and professional employment.

Dramatically Wealthier Than Peers

DuPage's $110,502 income is 1.6 times higher than the next-richest county in this analysis (Douglas at $74,186), reflecting its status as a separate economic universe. The median home value of $374,100 is more than three times the rural county average, yet remains accessible to this high-income population.

High Housing Costs, Higher Income

DuPage's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% appears elevated, but reflects affluent residents choosing premium housing; as a share of income, it remains manageable. The $374,100 median home value serves as a wealth-building asset for households earning over $110K annually.

Sophisticated Wealth Management Opportunity

DuPage households earning top-tier incomes should prioritize tax-efficient investment strategies, estate planning, and diversification beyond real estate. Working with wealth advisors on retirement optimization, 529 education plans, and alternative investments compounds DuPage's already significant income advantage into multi-generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in DuPage County

via HealthByCounty

DuPage sets the national health standard

DuPage County residents live to 81.3 years—nearly five years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—making it one of America's healthiest counties. Only 13.2% report poor or fair health, the lowest among all featured counties, reflecting excellent population wellness.

Illinois's clear health leader

DuPage County's 81.3-year life expectancy dramatically exceeds Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by more than five years, ranking it at the very top of Illinois counties. The 13.2% poor/fair health rate underscores DuPage's position as the state's gold standard for population health.

Vastly outpaces the entire region

DuPage County's 81.3-year life expectancy towers over all nearby peers, with the next-closest being Douglas County at 77.6 years—nearly four years behind. This exceptional gap reflects DuPage's superior healthcare infrastructure, wealth, and health outcomes across the board.

Robust healthcare access throughout

DuPage County combines strong insurance access—with a 5.9% uninsured rate near the state average—with exceptional provider density: 135 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 446 mental health providers per 100,000, far exceeding regional averages. This robust infrastructure supports DuPage's outstanding health outcomes.

Maintain DuPage's health advantage

Even in DuPage County, 5.9% of residents lack insurance and risk catastrophic medical bills. Ensure continuous coverage by reviewing options annually at healthcare.gov and discussing preventive care with your provider to sustain the county's exceptional health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in DuPage County

via RiskByCounty

DuPage faces elevated national disaster risk

At 97.65, DuPage County's composite risk score ranks it as "Relatively High" and places it well above the national average. This score reflects severe exposure to multiple hazard types, making DuPage one of America's more disaster-vulnerable counties.

Illinois's single riskiest county

DuPage's 97.65 score substantially exceeds Illinois's 54.46 state average and ranks it as the state's most hazard-prone county by a wide margin. No other Illinois county approaches DuPage's multi-hazard vulnerability profile.

Dramatically riskier than every nearby county

DuPage (97.65) faces roughly triple the risk of DeKalb (80.82), the second-riskiest in the region, and more than double Crawford, De Witt, Douglas, and Edgar combined. This extraordinary disparity underscores DuPage's unique vulnerability within northern Illinois.

Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes all severe

DuPage residents confront exceptional tornado risk at 99.33, catastrophic flood exposure at 98.00, and very high earthquake exposure at 93.23. This convergence of three major hazards creates a truly challenging natural disaster environment requiring comprehensive preparation.

Comprehensive insurance is essential now

Flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and premium wind/tornado protection are all critical investments for DuPage homeowners—not optional extras. Dedicated safe rooms, regularly updated emergency plans, and community warning system registration should be immediate priorities for every 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.