CountyScore

Henderson County

Illinois · IL

#10 in Illinois
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Henderson County, Illinois

Henderson surpasses national norms

Henderson County's composite score of 65.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it in the above-average category for American livability. This solid performance is driven by affordability and reasonable income levels relative to cost.

Above Illinois's middle ground

Henderson's 65.7 score exceeds the Illinois state average of 62.1 by 6%, positioning it as a reliable performer within its state. This modest edge places Henderson in the better half of Illinois counties, though not among the very top tier.

Balanced affordability and incomes

Henderson combines a cost score of 83.5 with the highest income score in this group (26.2) and median household income of $65,651. At $101,600 median home value and $834 monthly rent, the county achieves solid affordability without extreme frugality.

Tax burden moderately elevated

With an effective tax rate of 1.676% and tax score of 55.1, Henderson residents pay above-average taxes compared to the lowest-burden counties. Unavailable data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors leaves important livability questions unresolved.

Solid choice for working families

Henderson suits working families seeking reasonable balance between income potential, affordability, and tax burden. The county offers middle-ground economics without extremes at either end of the spectrum.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.1Cost83.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.2Risk82.5WaterComing Soon
🏛55.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82.5
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 Henderson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377
Wilson County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $57,056

Deep Dives

Henderson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Henderson County

via TaxByCounty

Henderson County's Tax Rate Below National Median

At 1.68%, Henderson County's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 1.82%, placing it in the 40th percentile nationally. This means homeowners here enjoy tax burden slightly lighter than the typical American household.

Henderson Rates Below Illinois Average

Henderson County's effective tax rate of 1.68% falls below the Illinois state average of 1.83%, ranking it in the lower half among 102 Illinois counties. At $1,703 median annual property taxes, residents pay notably less than the state's typical household.

Competitive Rates Within Region

Henderson County's 1.68% rate sits comfortably between regional extremes: above the lowest-taxed Hamilton (1.35%) and Hardin (1.18%), but below the highest Henry (1.98%). It offers moderate affordability within west-central Illinois.

Median Home Costs About $1,703 Yearly

On a median home value of $101,600, Henderson County homeowners pay approximately $1,703 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,957 when including additional assessments.

Challenge Assessments to Reduce Taxes

Numerous Henderson County homeowners have been overassessed and could reclaim savings through formal appeals. If your home's assessed value seems inflated compared to similar properties in your neighborhood, an appeal is worth pursuing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Henderson County

via CostByCounty

Henderson County's rent-to-income ratio edges upward

At 15.2%, Henderson County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national 30% affordability standard and Illinois's 14.7% state average—just barely. While still affordable by national measures, renters here face slightly tighter housing cost pressures than the typical Illinois resident.

Above-average rents, slightly above state norm

Henderson County's $834 median rent is nearly equivalent to the state's $837 average, with a 15.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeding the statewide 14.7%. The county ranks among Illinois's pricier rental markets relative to income.

Notably pricier than most nearby counties

Henderson County's $834 median rent tops all comparison counties except Iroquois ($793)—running $268 higher than Hamilton and dramatically higher than Hardin's $342. Renters here pay a visible premium compared to surrounding areas.

Rent claims 15.2% of household income

With median household income of $65,651, residents pay $834 monthly in rent, consuming a larger-than-ideal share of budgets. Homeowners spend $648 monthly on properties valued near $101,600, providing a moderate ownership alternative.

Budget-conscious renters, compare carefully

Henderson County's rents are higher than most neighboring Illinois counties, so comparison shopping is essential before relocating. If affordability is your driver, examine nearby options like Hamilton or Hardin before committing to this market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Henderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Henderson income trailing national median

Henderson County's median household income of $65,651 falls roughly $9,100 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This 12% gap positions Henderson slightly above some peer rural counties but still below the national benchmark.

Just below Illinois state average

Henderson's $65,651 trails the state average of $68,580 by about $2,929, ranking it firmly in Illinois's middle tier. The county reflects typical small-town and agricultural economic patterns across the state.

Middle ground among regional peers

Henderson ($65,651) sits between Hancock County ($65,044) and Henry County ($69,912), anchoring the middle of the regional income distribution. The county's position reflects a typical mix of farming, small manufacturing, and service sectors.

Housing costs climbing; rents stressed

Henderson's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% meets the threshold for housing stress, signaling that renters are spending a significant portion of income on shelter. Median home values of $101,600 require discipline from would-be buyers.

Manage housing costs to build wealth

With per capita income of $32,763, Henderson households must prioritize housing affordability to save and invest. Exploring down-payment assistance programs and refinancing options can free capital for longer-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Henderson County

via HealthByCounty

Henderson County matches U.S. longevity standards

Henderson County residents live to 77.3 years, outpacing the national average of 76.4 by about a year. With only 17.0% reporting poor or fair health versus the U.S. rate of 17.3%, health outcomes here align well with national norms.

Exceeds Illinois on life expectancy

At 77.3 years, Henderson surpasses Illinois's 76.0-year average and ranks among the state's healthier counties. Its 6.0% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 6.3%, providing reasonable health security.

Strong performer in regional health standings

Henderson's 77.3-year life expectancy matches Hancock County and trails only Henry County's 77.4 and Jasper County's 77.8 among peers. Its uninsured rate of 6.0% is competitive with neighboring counties.

Mental health access strong, primary care scarce

Henderson offers an unusual profile: 82 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting robust psychiatry and counseling services, but only 16 primary care providers per 100,000—among the lowest in its region. Residents may struggle to find family medicine physicians despite strong psychiatric support.

Secure coverage for comprehensive care access

With lower primary care availability, having health insurance in Henderson County ensures you can access mental health services and navigate care coordination effectively. Check healthcare.gov for plans and take advantage of your county's strong psychiatric services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Henderson County

via RiskByCounty

Henderson County's modest risk profile

Henderson County scores 17.53 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating that sits substantially below Illinois' state average of 54.46. Your county faces roughly one-third the statewide average natural disaster risk, positioning it among America's safer regions. This favorable standing reflects below-average exposure to earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Well below-average risk in Illinois

Henderson County ranks among Illinois' safest counties by composite score, placing it in the bottom fifth of state hazard exposure. At 17.53, your county's risk score is less than one-third the state average of 54.46, indicating substantially lower vulnerability than most Illinois communities. This protective position reflects consistently low or moderate scores across flood, tornado, and seismic hazards.

Safer than most nearby counties

Henderson County's 17.53 risk score places it between Hardin County (8.30), the region's safest, and Hancock County (31.08) to the east. Compared to Henry County (57.09) and especially Jackson County (87.12), Henderson offers dramatically better protection—roughly one-third and one-fifth the risk respectively. This variation underscores how county borders can separate significantly different disaster environments.

Low hazards with two focuses

Flooding ranks highest at 24.71, reflecting Henderson's proximity to river systems and floodplains that warrant flood insurance and awareness during wet seasons. Tornadoes present the second-largest hazard at 28.59, a springtime threat common across Illinois that requires seasonal preparedness and reliable weather monitoring. All other hazard types score below 28, indicating relatively low secondary risks.

Practical protection steps

Flood insurance is strongly recommended for Henderson County properties, especially those in mapped flood zones or near streams—standard homeowners policies provide zero flood coverage. Establish a tornado safety plan: identify shelter areas, test communication methods twice yearly, and stay alert during spring thunderstorm season. Review your homeowners policy annually to ensure replacement cost coverage keeps pace with home values.

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.