CountyScore

Ford County

Illinois · IL

#52 in Illinois
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Ford County, Illinois

Ford slightly outpaces national average

Ford County's composite score of 59.5 sits well above the national median of 50.0, though it ranks lower than most peers in this Illinois group. The score reflects solid fundamentals tempered by higher-than-average tax burdens for the region.

Below Illinois state average

At 59.5, Ford County falls slightly below Illinois's state average of 62.1. Among Illinois counties, it ranks in the middle tier, suggesting livability is respectable but not exceptional by state standards.

Reasonable housing costs remain

Ford maintains a cost score of 80.2, with median homes valued at $118,100 and rent at $836 monthly. Housing remains affordable relative to national standards, even if slightly higher than neighboring counties in this analysis.

Taxes and income both lag

Ford's effective tax rate of 2.069% is the highest in this county group, eating into take-home pay for residents earning a median of $60,782. An income score of just 23.1 signals limited wage-growth opportunities locally.

Works for wage-stable rural households

Ford suits families with stable employment elsewhere or retirees who can weather slightly higher taxes for rural living. The county offers decent affordability but demands residents accept lower local income growth potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax44.1Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk73.8WaterComing Soon
🏛44.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.8
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 Ford County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Ford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ford County

via TaxByCounty

Ford County taxes above U.S. average

Ford County's 2.069% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.562% by about 32%, placing it in the 70th percentile of U.S. counties. At $2,443 median annual tax on a $118,100 home, Ford residents pay significantly more than the national median of $2,690 home value.

One of Illinois's heaviest taxed

Illinois averages 1.831%, and Ford County's 2.069% rate places it among the state's pricier counties for property taxation. Residents here pay $2,443 annually, well above the state median of $2,782, despite owning homes worth less than the state average.

Pricey compared to nearby counties

Ford County's 2.069% rate significantly exceeds Franklin (1.501%), Fayette (1.517%), Effingham (1.509%), and Gallatin (1.506%) in the region. Only Fulton County (2.133%) and Grundy County (2.029%) come close, making Ford one of the area's less affordable counties for homeowners.

What your home costs to own

A typical Ford County home valued at $118,100 generates $2,443 in annual property taxes—higher than most surrounding counties despite the modest home value. Over a 30-year mortgage, that's roughly $73,290 in property taxes alone, not counting maintenance or utilities.

Challenge assessments to cut bills

Given Ford County's above-average tax rates, challenging an inflated assessment is especially worthwhile. Many homeowners in high-tax counties discover their properties are overvalued; requesting a reassessment costs nothing and could save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ford County

via CostByCounty

Ford County rents strain local wages

Renters in Ford County spend 16.5% of their $60,782 median income on rent—above the national 30% comfort threshold and exceeding most peer counties. The $836 monthly rent is the highest among our comparison group, placing unexpected pressure on a below-average income base.

Below-average in Illinois affordability rankings

Ford County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Illinois's state average of 14.7%, indicating tighter housing affordability than most of the state. The mismatch between local rents and incomes suggests limited job-market opportunity relative to housing costs.

Highest rents in the region

Ford County's $836 monthly rent tops all nearby counties—$102 more than Effingham ($734), $36 more than Fulton ($808), and $28 more than Franklin ($771). Yet median incomes lag Effingham and Grundy, making Ford's rent burden among the highest in this comparison group.

Rent outpaces local economic capacity

Ford County households earn $60,782 annually but face $836 monthly rents (16.5% of income) and $864 mortgage costs, stretching tight budgets. The median home value of $118,100 adds to the challenge, as local wages lag behind what homeownership typically requires.

Ford requires strong income to work

Ford County makes sense only if you're relocating with a salary above local medians or own property outright, as rents and home costs exceed what typical local incomes support. Compare with Fayette (lower rents), Effingham (better wages), or Gallatin (cheapest rents) if affordability is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ford County

via IncomeByCounty

Ford County below national benchmark

Ford County's median household income of $60,782 falls $13,973 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally. This income level is typical of rural Midwestern counties facing population and industry headwinds.

Lower-income county in Illinois

Ford County's household income of $60,782 ranks below the state average of $68,580 by approximately $7,800, putting it in the lower-middle tier of Illinois counties. The county's per capita income of $32,674 also lags the state average of $36,009.

Mid-range among struggling peers

Ford County households earn $60,782, positioning them between Fayette County ($57,113) and Fulton County ($58,617), as well as above Franklin County ($53,471). This places Ford in a slightly stronger position than some nearby agricultural counties but below regional outliers like Effingham.

Rent costs strain household finances

Ford County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5% exceeds healthy affordability levels, indicating that housing costs consume a significant portion of median income. Combined with a median home value of $118,100, affordability pressures are evident across both rental and ownership markets.

Prioritize emergency savings first

With housing costs taking a larger bite of income, Ford County households should focus on building a three-month emergency fund before investing. Once stabilized, even small contributions to an IRA or employer retirement plan can accumulate meaningfully over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ford County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national average

Ford County residents have a life expectancy of 74.3 years, falling 2.1 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 17% report poor or fair health, signaling widespread chronic conditions affecting quality of life.

Among Illinois's lower-performing counties

Ford County's 74.3-year life expectancy lags Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 1.7 years. The 6.6% uninsured rate sits near the state average, but health outcomes suggest barriers beyond insurance alone.

Lower outcomes than surrounding areas

Ford County's 74.3-year life expectancy trails Effingham County (77.4) and Fayette County (77.0), reflecting deeper health challenges in the region. The county does offer strong mental health capacity at 528 providers per 100K, an outlier in the region.

Limited primary care, strong behavioral health

Ford County has just 52 primary care providers per 100K residents, below most peers, yet boasts 528 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding state norms. The mismatch suggests access challenges for routine medical care despite robust psychiatric support.

Get insured, get preventive care

With lower life expectancy, Ford residents benefit from securing insurance and prioritizing annual checkups. Visit Healthcare.gov or call your nearest community health center to explore plans and preventive services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ford County

via RiskByCounty

Ford County: Illinois's safest region

Ford County's composite risk score of 26.21 ranks among the safest places in America, earning a "Very Low" rating well below the national average. Residents here face substantially lower exposure to major natural disasters than most U.S. counties.

Lowest risk in Illinois

Ford County's 26.21 score sits nearly 28 points below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's safest communities. No other Illinois county in this analysis comes close to Ford's favorable risk profile.

Dramatically safer than surrounding areas

Ford County's 26.21 dramatically underperforms (in a good way) nearly every regional peer, from Effingham County (53.75) to Franklin County (80.95). Ford residents enjoy exceptionally low disaster exposure compared to central and southern Illinois.

Tornado risk dominates limited hazards

Even Ford's most significant hazard—tornado risk at 44.05—ranks below most Illinois counties, and earthquake (59.61) and flood (35.59) risks remain well-controlled. Wildfire and hurricane risks are negligible at 1.78 and 15.19 respectively.

Standard coverage typically sufficient here

Ford County's low risk profile means comprehensive homeowners insurance with tornado/wind coverage may be your primary natural disaster protection need. Consider earthquake insurance only if you're exceptionally risk-averse; Ford's 59.61 earthquake score is manageable.

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.