CountyScore

Effingham County

Illinois · IL

#19 in Illinois
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Effingham County, Illinois

Effingham outpaces national median

With a composite score of 67.0, Effingham County significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a county where cost of living and tax burden align favorably for residents seeking affordable, stable communities.

Above average across Illinois

Effingham ranks above the Illinois state average composite score of 62.1, making it one of the more livable counties in the state. Among Illinois's 102 counties, this positions Effingham in the better-performing tier for overall livability.

Affordability and reasonable taxes

Effingham excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 80.9—median home values sit at just $179,800 and gross rent averages $734 monthly. The county maintains a modest effective tax rate of 1.509%, leaving more take-home income for residents.

Income growth lags behind costs

The income score of 32.6 reveals a meaningful gap: median household income of $75,380 doesn't keep pace with what residents might earn in higher-wage regions. Complete data on schools, safety, and health outcomes remain unavailable, limiting a fuller picture of quality of life.

Best for cost-conscious families

Effingham suits families and retirees prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over high earning potential. This county works well for those seeking stability in a smaller market where paychecks stretch further than in urban centers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.8Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth78.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.6Risk46.3WaterComing Soon
🏛59.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.3
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 Effingham County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Effingham County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Effingham County

via TaxByCounty

Effingham's tax rate beats the nation

At 1.509%, Effingham County's effective property tax rate falls below the national median of 1.562%, putting it in the 40th percentile—meaning 60% of U.S. counties tax property more heavily. Homeowners here pay $2,713 annually on the median home, compared to the national median of $2,690, largely because home values are lower nationally.

Middle of the pack statewide

Illinois averages a 1.831% effective rate and $2,782 median tax, making Effingham's 1.509% rate notably lower than the state average. This ranks Effingham in the lower half of Illinois counties, benefiting homeowners with a below-average tax burden.

Competitive with regional peers

Effingham's 1.509% rate sits between Franklin County (1.501%) and Fayette County (1.517%), making it one of the most affordable counties in south-central Illinois. Nearby Ford County (2.069%) and Fulton County (2.133%) charge significantly more, highlighting Effingham's advantage for property owners.

What your home costs to own

A typical Effingham County home valued at $179,800 generates an annual property tax of $2,713 for owners with a mortgage and $2,489 without one. Over ten years, that's roughly $27,130 in taxes—a modest burden compared to counties with higher rates.

Check if you're overassessed

Many Illinois homeowners pay more in property tax than necessary because their homes are assessed above fair market value. If your assessment feels high, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office costs nothing and could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Effingham County

via CostByCounty

Effingham hits sweet spot nationally

Renters in Effingham County spend just 11.7% of their income on housing—well below the national comfort threshold of 30% and outpacing the typical American household. The county's median income of $75,380 nearly matches the national median, while rents average $734 monthly, offering rare stability for both renters and buyers.

Top tier affordability in Illinois

Effingham's 11.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Illinois's most affordable counties, significantly better than the state average of 14.7%. This advantage reflects both reasonable housing costs and solid local wages that outpace many rural Illinois communities.

Clear winner among central Illinois

Effingham's $734 monthly rent undercuts nearby Ford County ($836) and Fulton County ($808) by $100-plus, while its rent-to-income ratio of 11.7% beats neighboring Franklin County (17.3%) and Fayette County (15.6%). The county combines lower costs with stronger median incomes than most surrounding communities.

Income stretches further here

The typical Effingham household earns $75,380 annually, spending $734 monthly on rent (11.7% of income) or $947 on mortgage payments, leaving substantial room for other expenses. Homebuyers find median values at $179,800—reasonable for the region and reflecting the county's economic stability.

Consider Effingham for balance

If you're weighing Illinois options, Effingham delivers rare combination: competitive wages, below-average housing costs, and genuine affordability without sacrificing community amenities. Compare it against Grundy County's higher costs or Franklin County's tighter budgets to see where your income stretches furthest.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Effingham County

via IncomeByCounty

Effingham edges ahead nationally

Effingham County's median household income of $75,380 sits just above the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper-middle tier across the country. This puts the county among approximately the 55th percentile of U.S. counties, a solid position for a rural Illinois community.

Strong performer in Illinois

At $75,380, Effingham County ranks in the top third of Illinois counties for household income, beating the state average of $68,580 by nearly $7,000. The county's per capita income of $38,582 also exceeds Illinois' state average of $36,009, signaling broad-based earning strength.

Outpacing the surrounding region

Effingham County households earn $75,380 compared to neighboring Ford County ($60,782) and Greene County ($60,976), reflecting a 24% income advantage over peers. This premium suggests stronger local employment opportunities or higher-wage industries anchoring the county economy.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Effingham County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.7% is well below the national affordability threshold, meaning housing remains accessible on local incomes. A median home value of $179,800 paired with $75,380 household income indicates stable housing markets without severe affordability strain.

Build on Effingham's income foundation

With incomes above national and state averages, Effingham County households have meaningful capacity to invest in retirement accounts, education funds, or home equity. Consider maximizing employer 401(k) matches and opening a Roth IRA to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Effingham County

via HealthByCounty

Effingham outlives national average

Residents of Effingham County live to 77.4 years old, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Just 14.3% report poor or fair health, a sign of stronger-than-typical well-being in this central Illinois community.

Above-average health for Illinois

At 77.4 years, Effingham County's life expectancy exceeds Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 1.4 years. The county ranks among the healthier regions in the state, with insurance coverage stronger than average.

Outperforming nearby counties

Effingham's 77.4-year life expectancy leads its neighbors: Ford County (74.3), Fayette County (77.0), and Fulton County (74.9). With 78 primary care providers per 100K residents, Effingham offers better access than most surrounding areas.

Strong insurance, solid access

Just 4.8% of Effingham residents lack health insurance—below Illinois's 6.3% average—giving most people a path to regular care. The county supports 78 primary care providers and 259 mental health providers per 100K, resources that enable preventive and ongoing treatment.

Check your coverage options

Even with strong insurance rates, some Effingham residents remain uninsured. Visit Healthcare.gov or Illinois.gov to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and local community health centers near you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Effingham County

via RiskByCounty

Effingham sits near U.S. risk average

With a composite risk score of 53.75, Effingham County ranks slightly below the national median for natural disaster risk. The county's "Relatively Low" rating means residents face manageable but not negligible hazards compared to the typical American county.

Nearly average for Illinois

Effingham's score of 53.75 tracks almost exactly with Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk profile. This means Effingham faces typical exposure to the natural hazards that define the Illinois landscape.

Safer than most regional peers

Effingham's 53.75 score outperforms Franklin County (80.95) and Grundy County (66.51) but trails Ford County's notably lower 26.21. The variation across central Illinois shows that county-by-county differences matter significantly—neighboring communities can face very different risk levels.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate

Effingham's earthquake risk (88.55) and tornado risk (63.58) are the county's primary concerns, with both notably elevated. Flood risk (49.17) poses a moderate secondary threat, while wildfire danger remains minimal at just 10.88.

Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage

Standard homeowners policies often exclude earthquake damage—a critical gap in Effingham County. Ensure your policy covers tornado/wind damage, and strongly consider a separate earthquake rider given the county's 88.55 earthquake risk score.

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.