CountyScore

Gallatin County

Illinois · IL

#11 in Illinois
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Gallatin County, Illinois

Gallatin leads this Illinois group

Gallatin County's composite score of 70.4 is the highest among these eight counties and well above the national median of 50.0. This top-tier ranking reflects exceptional value in housing and tax efficiency.

Illinois's most livable counties

At 70.4, Gallatin substantially outperforms Illinois's state average of 62.1, securing a spot among the state's best-performing counties. It represents one of Illinois's most attractive rural markets by composite metrics.

Unmatched housing affordability

Gallatin's cost score of 91.0 is the highest in this group, with median gross rent of just $500 monthly and home values averaging $84,700. The tax rate of 1.506% remains among the lowest, maximizing disposable income.

Limited earning potential locally

The income score of 19.1 reflects median household income of $54,626, the lowest in this group and well below state norms. Schools, health, and safety data remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the livability picture.

Best for budget-conscious living

Gallatin is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and anyone prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and taxes above local earning potential. The county offers exceptional financial value for those with income from outside the local economy.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.9Cost91SafetyComing SoonHealth67.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.1Risk66.1WaterComing Soon
🏛59.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.1
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 Gallatin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Gallatin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gallatin County

via TaxByCounty

Gallatin County costs less than nation

Gallatin County's 1.506% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 1.562%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. With the second-lowest median home value at $84,700, residents pay just $1,276 annually—less than half the national median tax of $2,690.

Well below Illinois average

Illinois averages 1.831%, and Gallatin County's 1.506% rate beats that handily, ranking among the state's lowest-taxed counties. At $1,276 median annual tax, residents pay less than half the state median of $2,782, making Gallatin exceptionally affordable for homeowners.

Third-lowest in the region

Gallatin's 1.506% rate ranks third-lowest in south-central Illinois, behind Franklin (1.501%) and Fayette (1.517%), but ahead of Effingham (1.509%). Counties like Ford (2.069%) and Fulton (2.133%) impose 37–42% higher rates, positioning Gallatin as a bargain for property buyers.

What your home costs to own

Gallatin County residents pay just $1,276 annually on the median home of $84,700—among the lowest tax bills in the region. Without a mortgage, owners pay $1,044; with one, $1,429—a manageable expense for families seeking affordable homeownership.

Even small assessments merit review

Though Gallatin County's taxes are low, overassessment still reduces your effective return on homeownership. Review your assessment against recent comparable sales in your neighborhood; if it's inflated, a free appeal to the county assessor could lower your bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gallatin County

via CostByCounty

Gallatin County delivers rare rental bargain

Renters in Gallatin County spend just 11.0% of their income on housing—among the lowest ratios in this entire comparison and well below the national comfort threshold of 30%. The $500 monthly rent is exceptional for Illinois, though paired with a below-average median income of $54,626, it still requires careful budgeting.

Illinois's most affordable rental market

Gallatin County's 11.0% rent-to-income ratio and $500 median rent represent exceptional value compared to Illinois's state average of 14.7% for affordability and $837 for rent. The county stands out as a genuine affordability bright spot in a state increasingly stretched by housing costs.

Unmatched rental affordability regionally

Gallatin's $500 monthly rent is dramatically cheaper than all neighbors—$234 below Effingham ($734), $271 below Franklin ($771), and a remarkable $336 below Ford ($836). The 11.0% rent-to-income ratio edges out even Effingham (11.7%), making Gallatin the region's affordability leader.

Ultra-low rents offset modest wages

Gallatin households earn $54,626 annually, dedicating just $500 monthly to rent (11.0% of income)—nearly half the national average household housing burden. Owner costs of $572 monthly and a median home value of $84,700 preserve this county's status as Illinois's most affordable housing market.

Gallatin for renters prioritizing savings

If lowest rent is your priority, Gallatin County is unbeatable in Illinois—$500 monthly leaves room for savings or other needs impossible elsewhere in this comparison. Verify job market strength and services before moving, as low costs sometimes reflect economic challenges, but the rental bargain is undeniable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gallatin County

via IncomeByCounty

Gallatin below national, but efficient

Gallatin County's median household income of $54,626 trails the national median of $74,755 by $20,129, placing it in the 22nd percentile nationally. However, the county's unusually high per capita income of $39,976 suggests more efficient income distribution across households.

Lower income, strong per-capita earnings

Gallatin County's household income of $54,626 falls below the Illinois state average of $68,580, but its per capita income of $39,976 actually exceeds the state average of $36,009. This paradox suggests some very high earners or fewer dependents per household than state averages.

Unique earnings pattern in the region

Gallatin County's median household income of $54,626 is below peers like Ford County ($60,782) and Fayette County ($57,113), yet its per capita income ($39,976) is among the strongest in the group. This suggests a smaller population with disproportionately high-wage workers.

Housing highly affordable here

Gallatin County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this analysis at 11.0%, with a median home value of $84,700—making housing costs highly manageable. This affordability creates real opportunity for households to invest savings beyond housing expenses.

Leverage affordability for aggressive saving

Gallatin County's low housing costs mean households can redirect substantial income toward retirement accounts, college funds, or investment portfolios. Take advantage of this affordability advantage by maximizing tax-advantaged savings vehicles like 401(k)s and IRAs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gallatin County

via HealthByCounty

Significant health disadvantage evident

Gallatin County residents live to just 72.6 years, 3.8 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 20.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces severe health challenges affecting nearly one in five residents.

Among Illinois's least healthy counties

At 72.6 years, Gallatin County's life expectancy trails Illinois's 76.0-year average by 3.4 years, ranking among the state's worst outcomes. The 6.3% uninsured rate matches the state, suggesting that deeper barriers—poverty, access, social determinants—drive these disparities.

Peer counties show better outcomes

Gallatin County's 72.6-year life expectancy nearly matches Franklin County (72.5) but lags Greene County (73.6) and Fulton County (74.9) significantly. Data on primary care providers is limited, but available mental health support (43 per 100K) ranks among the region's lowest.

Data gaps complicate care assessment

Primary care provider data for Gallatin County remains unavailable, limiting our understanding of routine medical access. With just 43 mental health providers per 100K and 20.8% reporting poor health, the county clearly struggles to support resident well-being.

Start with insurance enrollment

Gallatin County residents deserve access to care; securing Medicaid or marketplace insurance is the foundation. Contact 211 or visit Healthcare.gov to enroll, then ask local clinics about extended hours and telehealth to bridge access gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gallatin County

via RiskByCounty

Gallatin among America's safer counties

Gallatin County's composite risk score of 33.87 ranks well below the U.S. average, earning a "Very Low" rating. Residents here face substantially lower natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

Well below Illinois state average

Gallatin's 33.87 score sits more than 20 points below Illinois's state average of 54.46, making it one of the state's safer regions. This significant gap reflects Gallatin's notably favorable risk profile relative to typical Illinois communities.

Among the safest in southern Illinois

Gallatin's 33.87 trails only Ford County (26.21) and Greene County (12.98) in this analysis, far outperforming Franklin (80.95) and Fulton (59.00). Gallatin residents enjoy substantially lower disaster exposure than most surrounding areas.

Earthquake risk dominates minimal threats

Gallatin's highest risk is earthquake (84.51), though all other hazards rank well below regional norms: tornado (36.99), flood (36.04), and hurricane (35.71). Wildfire risk is negligible at just 1.21.

Standard homeowners insurance typically adequate

Gallatin County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance with tornado/wind coverage provides solid protection for most residents. Consider earthquake insurance only if you want maximum protection; Gallatin's 84.51 earthquake score is manageable compared to counties like Franklin or Fulton.

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.