Hardin County's composite score of 75.6 places it well above the national median of 50.0, achieving 51% superior performance. This exceptional ranking reflects world-class housing affordability combined with low tax burden—rare among American counties.
2 / 5
Illinois's affordability champion
At 75.6, Hardin significantly exceeds the Illinois state average of 62.1 by 22%, ranking it among the state's very best counties for overall livability. Few Illinois counties match Hardin's combination of low cost and low taxes.
3 / 5
Cost and tax leaders nationwide
Hardin's cost score of 94.1 and tax score of 69.2 are exceptional, with an effective tax rate of just 1.176% and median home value of $91,700—among the lowest in the region. Incredibly, gross rent averages only $342 per month, making this county extraordinarily affordable.
4 / 5
Income levels need development
Hardin's median household income of $57,155 and income score of just 20.7 significantly trail peers, indicating limited high-earning opportunities. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment also obscures the complete livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for extreme cost cutters
Hardin County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal living expenses above all else. If you can earn income elsewhere, Hardin offers perhaps the nation's best value in shelter and taxes.
Hardin County's composite score of 75.6 places it well above the national median of 50.0, achieving 51% superior performance. This exceptional ranking reflects world-class housing affordability combined with low tax burden—rare among American counties.
Illinois's affordability champion
At 75.6, Hardin significantly exceeds the Illinois state average of 62.1 by 22%, ranking it among the state's very best counties for overall livability. Few Illinois counties match Hardin's combination of low cost and low taxes.
Cost and tax leaders nationwide
Hardin's cost score of 94.1 and tax score of 69.2 are exceptional, with an effective tax rate of just 1.176% and median home value of $91,700—among the lowest in the region. Incredibly, gross rent averages only $342 per month, making this county extraordinarily affordable.
Income levels need development
Hardin's median household income of $57,155 and income score of just 20.7 significantly trail peers, indicating limited high-earning opportunities. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environment also obscures the complete livability picture.
Perfect for extreme cost cutters
Hardin County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal living expenses above all else. If you can earn income elsewhere, Hardin offers perhaps the nation's best value in shelter and taxes.
Score breakdown
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🏛69.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Hardin County Ranks Among Nation's Most Affordable
At 1.18%, Hardin County's effective tax rate places it in the lowest 25th percentile nationally, well below the national median of 1.82%. This exceptional affordability makes Hardin one of America's most tax-friendly counties for homeowners.
Second-Lowest Taxes in Illinois
Hardin County ranks second-lowest among Illinois counties with an effective tax rate of 1.18%, just above Hamilton County's 1.35% and far below the state average of 1.83%. At $1,078 in median annual property taxes, residents enjoy some of the state's most affordable assessments.
Clear Tax Leader in Region
Hardin County's 1.18% rate is the lowest in its region, significantly undercutting all neighbors including Hamilton (1.35%), Henderson (1.68%), and Hancock (1.86%). Hardin residents enjoy a clear competitive advantage on property tax burden.
Median Home Costs Just $1,078 Yearly
On a median home value of $91,700, Hardin County homeowners pay approximately $1,078 annually in property taxes, the lowest in the region. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,278 when including additional assessments.
Verify Your Assessment Accuracy
Even in low-tax counties like Hardin, some homeowners are overassessed relative to their property's true market value. Filing an assessment appeal is straightforward and could provide additional relief beyond the county's already-competitive rates.
At just 7.2%, Hardin County's rent-to-income ratio is exceptionally low—less than one-quarter of the national 30% affordability standard and less than half Illinois's 14.7% state average. This southern Illinois county stands out as a housing bargain destination.
The most affordable county in Illinois
Hardin County's $342 median monthly rent is the lowest across the state, nearly 60% below Illinois's $837 average. The county's 7.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks it as unquestionably the state's most accessible rental market.
Dramatically cheaper than all neighbors
Hardin County's $342 median rent undercuts even Hamilton County—the next-most-affordable in this group—by $224 monthly. No adjacent county comes close to matching Hardin's remarkable rental affordability.
Just 7.2% of income goes to rent
With median household income of $57,155 and median gross rent of $342, housing consumes a tiny slice of typical household budgets. Homeowners pay $568 monthly on properties valued around $91,700, offering rural affordability for both renters and buyers.
Maximum housing affordability awaits here
If cutting housing costs is your priority, Hardin County offers unmatched savings—your rent payment leaves vastly more room for savings and other needs. Rural living and unbeatable affordability combine here more dramatically than anywhere else in Illinois.
Hardin County's median household income of $57,155 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $17,600—a 24% shortfall. This is among the wider gaps in the region, reflecting Hardin's position as one of Illinois's most economically challenged counties.
Lowest income in the sample group
Hardin's $57,155 median ranks near the bottom of Illinois counties, falling nearly $11,425 below the state average of $68,580. The county faces real economic headwinds compared to state and national peers.
Hardin is the income leader regionally
Despite statewide challenges, Hardin's $57,155 median stands as the lowest among its sampled neighbors, trailing Hancock ($65,044) and Hamilton ($61,520). Jackson County ($45,572) faces even steeper income pressures.
Housing remains affordable refuge
Hardin's 7.2% rent-to-income ratio is exceptionally low—well below the 15% stress threshold and among Illinois's most affordable. Median home values of $91,700 make homeownership achievable for qualified buyers, though low incomes require careful planning.
Affordable housing creates wealth potential
With per capita income of $30,158 and some of Illinois's lowest housing costs, Hardin households who stabilize employment can accumulate property equity. Focus on career development and financial discipline to build long-term security.
At 71.6 years, Hardin County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 5 years, marking a substantial gap. With 20.1% reporting poor or fair health compared to the national 17.3%, residents face above-average health burdens.
Illinois's lowest life expectancy in this group
Hardin County's 71.6-year life expectancy is 4.4 years below Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing it among the state's least healthy counties. The 5.7% uninsured rate is slightly better than state average, but coverage alone doesn't address deeper health disparities.
Significant gap from regional peers
Hardin's 71.6-year life expectancy lags far behind Henry County (77.4) and Hancock County (77.3), representing a 5–6 year disadvantage. It's the lowest in its peer group, indicating concentrated health challenges in this county.
Excellent provider access masks deeper health issues
Surprisingly, Hardin has strong provider capacity with 82 primary care and 56 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest in its region. Despite good access, the county's poor life expectancy suggests lifestyle, economic, and social factors are driving health outcomes more than provider availability.
Get covered and connect with local providers
With strong primary care available, getting insured in Hardin County is the first step toward better health. Explore Medicaid options and marketplace plans at healthcare.gov—then schedule preventive visits with local providers to address your health proactively.
Hardin County scores just 8.30 on the composite risk scale—the lowest among the eight counties profiled and a Very Low rating well below the Illinois state average of 54.46. Your county experiences roughly 85% less natural disaster risk than typical state communities, making it one of the most protected places in Illinois. This exceptional safety reflects favorable geography and relatively low exposure to all major hazard types.
Ranked safest in its state tier
Hardin County claims the single lowest composite risk score among Illinois counties in this analysis, with a 8.30 that is dramatically lower than the state average of 54.46. No other county profiled approaches this level of protection, underscoring Hardin's exceptional resilience to natural disasters. This standing reflects a combination of inland location, low flood exposure, and minimal seismic vulnerability.
Significantly safer than neighbors
Hardin County's 8.30 score is roughly one-quarter the risk of Henderson County (17.53) and one-third that of Hancock County (31.08), making it the clear regional leader in disaster resilience. Even compared to relatively safe Hamilton County (30.82), Hardin offers substantially greater protection. Jackson County (87.12) to the north carries more than ten times the hazard burden, illustrating how dramatically risk varies across southern Illinois.
Minimal but real hazards
Earthquakes represent the highest relative risk at 68.96, though actual tremors remain infrequent given Hardin's distance from major fault lines. Tornadoes rank second at 31.30, a seasonal threat that affects all Illinois counties and warrants basic preparedness despite low frequency. Flooding (15.46) and wildfire (5.34) pose substantially lower risks reflective of the county's inland, well-watered landscape.
Smart protection in a safe place
Even in low-risk Hardin County, tornado preparedness remains essential—identify a safe room, practice sheltering drills annually, and stay weather-aware during spring and early summer. Earthquake insurance is optional but inexpensive; the modest risk (68.96) combined with potentially severe damage makes it a reasonable investment for peace of mind. Standard homeowners coverage is typically sufficient for most Hardin County properties; review your policy annually to ensure adequate replacement cost coverage.