CountyScore

Fayette County

Illinois · IL

#27 in Illinois
67.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Illinois

Fayette ranks well nationally

Fayette County's composite score of 67.4 places it well above the national median of 50.0, reflecting strong fundamentals in affordability and tax structure. This upper-third national standing signals genuine livability advantages for cost-conscious households.

Illinois's most affordable markets

At 67.4, Fayette exceeds Illinois's state average of 62.1, ranking among the state's best-performing counties. It represents one of the most affordable and tax-friendly places to live within Illinois.

Exceptional housing affordability

Fayette's cost score of 85.0 is among the highest in this group, with median home values of just $114,700 and rent averaging $740 monthly. Combined with a low tax rate of 1.517%, residents enjoy minimal cost pressures.

Lower incomes limit opportunity

The income score of 20.7 is the lowest in this county group, with median household income at just $57,113—notably below regional and state peers. Limited data on schools, health, and safety make it harder to assess broader quality-of-life factors.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Fayette appeals most to retirees living on fixed incomes and remote workers unbounded by local wages. The rock-bottom cost of living makes this county a smart choice for those whose income doesn't depend on local employment markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.6Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.7Risk51.3WaterComing Soon
🏛59.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.3
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 Fayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Faulkner County
Arkansas
67.4
Median income: $65,071
Randolph County
Georgia
67.4
Median income: $25,425
Talbot County
Georgia
67.4
Median income: $45,098
Hancock County
Illinois
67.4
Median income: $65,044
Jefferson County
Iowa
67.4
Median income: $56,824

Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette ranks among lowest taxed

Fayette County's 1.517% effective tax rate places it well below the national median of 1.562%, landing in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. Despite lower home values here ($114,700 median), residents still pay close to the national median tax of $2,690.

Below-average burden in Illinois

Illinois statewide averages 1.831%, and Fayette County undercuts that by 0.314 percentage points with its 1.517% rate. This ranks Fayette among Illinois's most tax-friendly counties, though residents pay $1,740 annually versus the state median of $2,782.

Second-lowest in the region

Fayette's 1.517% rate edges out Effingham County (1.509%) for the second-lowest in south-central Illinois, just behind Franklin County (1.501%). Counties like Ford (2.069%) and Fulton (2.133%) impose roughly 40% higher tax rates, making Fayette a relative bargain.

What your home costs to own

On a median home value of $114,700, Fayette County homeowners pay $1,740 annually—one of the lowest median tax bills statewide. Property owners with mortgages pay $2,256 total, while those without mortgages pay just $1,413, spreading the burden unevenly.

Check if you're overassessed

Even in lower-taxed counties, overassessment happens when a home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth. Appealing to your county assessor is free, and recent sales data in your neighborhood can help prove your case and potentially reduce next year's bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette rents squeeze local budgets

Renters in Fayette County dedicate 15.6% of their income to housing costs—above the national 30% affordability threshold but reasonable for rural Illinois. The median income of $57,113 trails the national average by nearly $18,000, making that $740 monthly rent feel heavier than in wealthier counties.

Below-average affordability in Illinois

Fayette's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among the less affordable Illinois counties, exceeding the state average of 14.7% and placing pressure on renters. The gap reflects both lower-than-average household incomes and modest wage growth typical of downstate agricultural communities.

Struggling alongside regional peers

Fayette's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% mirrors the affordability strain in Franklin County (17.3%) and slightly exceeds Greene County (15.7%), though rents themselves ($740) remain lower than Ford County ($836). Neighboring Effingham County stands out as notably more affordable at 11.7%, suggesting a gap in local wage competitiveness.

Income pressure visible in numbers

Fayette households earn $57,113 annually, directing $740 monthly toward rent (15.6% of income) or $667 for mortgages—a tight squeeze compared to state averages. The median home value of $114,700 remains accessible for buyers, but lower incomes leave little margin for unexpected expenses.

Fayette works if you own outright

Fayette County offers cheapest mortgage costs in this comparison ($667/month) and low home values ($114,700), making it appealing if you arrive with equity or seek affordability over wage growth. Compare with Effingham or Grundy if job market strength matters to your relocation decision.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette lags the national average

Fayette County's median household income of $57,113 trails the national median of $74,755 by $17,642, placing it well below the U.S. middle. The county ranks in roughly the 25th percentile nationally, reflecting the economic challenges facing many rural Illinois communities.

Below-average earnings in Illinois

Fayette County's household income of $57,113 falls short of Illinois' state average of $68,580 by more than $11,000, ranking it in the lower half of Illinois counties. Per capita income of $30,865 is also notably below the state's $36,009 average.

Struggling alongside similar counties

Fayette County households earn $57,113, placing them below Franklin County ($53,471) but only slightly below Fulton County ($58,617). The narrow margin between these struggling rural neighbors suggests shared economic pressures from agriculture, manufacturing decline, or limited job diversity.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Fayette County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% approaches the affordability danger zone, where housing costs consume a larger share of income. A median home value of $114,700 remains affordable in absolute terms, but represents a proportionally heavier burden on the lower median income here.

Start small, build consistent habits

Even on more modest incomes, Fayette County households can build wealth through automatic savings and low-cost index funds. Consider opening a high-yield savings account for emergencies first, then gradually increase retirement contributions as income grows.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Fayette County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below U.S. average

Fayette County residents live to 77.0 years, just below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, while 17.8% report poor or fair health. This suggests room for improvement in chronic disease management and overall wellness.

Matching state health trends

At 77.0 years, Fayette County's life expectancy exceeds Illinois's 76.0-year average by one year. However, its 7.6% uninsured rate rises above the state average of 6.3%, creating barriers to steady healthcare access.

Middle ground among peers

Fayette County's 77.0-year life expectancy sits between healthier Effingham County (77.4) and lower-performing Franklin County (72.5). With just 19 primary care providers per 100K, the county lags neighbors in primary care capacity.

Provider shortages complicate access

Fayette's 7.6% uninsured rate—higher than the state average—joins limited primary care infrastructure: only 19 providers per 100K residents. Mental health support (99 per 100K) also falls short, creating gaps for residents seeking comprehensive care.

Explore coverage today

With above-average uninsured rates, many Fayette residents can find affordable options through Healthcare.gov or Medicaid programs. Call 211 to connect with local enrollment counselors who can walk you through your choices.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette slightly below U.S. median risk

Fayette County's composite score of 48.76 places it comfortably below the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county faces natural hazards that are generally more manageable than most U.S. counties.

Among Illinois's safer counties

At 48.76, Fayette scores notably below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This 5.7-point gap reflects Fayette's more favorable risk profile relative to typical Illinois communities.

Less risky than most surrounding areas

Fayette's 48.76 score beats Franklin County (80.95) and Fulton County (59.00) significantly, though Ford County's 26.21 remains considerably lower. Fayette residents enjoy better odds than most of southern-central Illinois.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead concerns

Earthquake risk (86.07) and tornado risk (53.44) represent Fayette's dominant hazards, though both remain below peak danger levels. Flood risk (49.52) and hurricane risk (42.34) pose secondary but meaningful threats.

Add earthquake coverage to standard policy

Most homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake insurance essential in Fayette County given its 86.07 score. Verify your policy includes tornado and wind coverage, which is standard but worth confirming.

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.