countyscore
51
County Score
Soil Quality 80.5Health 79.4Lawn Care 76.7

County Report Card

About Henry County, Illinois

Mirroring the National Average

Henry County lands a 50.3 composite score, placing it right at the national median of 50.0. This suggests a lifestyle that is typical for a middle-American county today.

Close to Illinois Average

The county's 50.3 score sits slightly below the Illinois average of 52.8. While it performs well in some categories, others keep it from reaching the top tier of the state.

High Incomes and Health

Residents enjoy relatively high earnings, evidenced by a $69,912 median income and a 66.1 income score. Health outcomes are also a major plus, earning a strong score of 79.4.

Taxes and Environmental Risk

A very low tax score of 3.4 stems from a high 1.980% effective tax rate. The county also faces environmental concerns with a risk score of 42.9 and a water score of 30.3.

The Working Professional's Hub

Henry County suits working professionals who value higher wages and good health services. Despite higher taxes, the solid income levels make it a viable option for those established in their careers.

204060801002.95058.579.463.366.542.930.352.3Tax2.9Cost50Safety58.5Health79.4Schools63.3Income66.5Risk42.9Water30.3Weather52.351/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Henry County DNA

Foverall

How Henry County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Henry County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (79.4/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (2.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
2.9-49.1
Cost
50
Safety
58.5
Health
79.4+29.400000000000006
Schools
63.3+9.299999999999997
Income
66.5+15.5
Risk
42.9
Water
30.3-27.7
Weather
52.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Henry County?

Many homeowners in Henry County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$151,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$842/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$151,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,911/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

6.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Henry County with Apache County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Apache County
Arizona
Median income: $41,438
51
Gadsden County
Florida
Median income: $48,801
51
Franklin County
Georgia
Median income: $53,046
51
Bourbon County
Kentucky
Median income: $61,354
51
Norfolk County
Massachusetts
Median income: $130,739
51
Hubbard County
Minnesota
Median income: $71,995
51
Todd County
South Dakota
Median income: $42,075
51
Wilson County
Tennessee
Median income: $95,839
51

Nearby counties

Rock Island County
Illinois
36.5
Scott County
Iowa
36.9
Stark County
Illinois
61.8
Whiteside County
Illinois
45.8
Knox County
Illinois
55.3
Clinton County
Iowa
38.7
Mercer County
Illinois
62.5
Bureau County
Illinois
46.8

Deep Dives

Henry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Henry County

via TaxByCounty

Henry County's Tax Rate Above National Average

At 1.98%, Henry County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.82%, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay more in property taxes relative to home values than about two-thirds of Americans.

Henry County Ranks Above State Average

Henry County's effective tax rate of 1.98% exceeds the Illinois state average of 1.83%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. At $2,877 median annual property taxes, residents pay nearly $100 more annually than the state's typical household.

Highest-Taxed County in Region

Henry County's 1.98% rate is the highest among all regional peers, exceeding Hancock (1.86%), Jackson (1.91%), and Jasper (1.91%) counties. Homeowners here bear the heaviest property tax burden in west-central Illinois.

Median Home Costs Nearly $2,877 Yearly

On a median home value of $145,300, Henry County homeowners pay approximately $2,877 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $3,111 when including additional assessments.

Appeals Especially Valuable in High-Tax Counties

Given Henry County's relatively high tax burden, assessment appeals are particularly worthwhile—even modest reductions yield substantial annual savings. Many homeowners discover their assessments exceed fair market value and can successfully challenge inflated evaluations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Henry County

via IncomeByCounty

Henry ranks among top earners regionally

Henry County's median household income of $69,912 nearly matches the U.S. median of $74,755, falling short by just $4,843. This places Henry among the strongest-earning counties in the eight-county sample.

Above Illinois state average

Henry's $69,912 median exceeds the state average of $68,580 by about $1,332, putting it in the upper-middle tier of Illinois counties. This modest outperformance reflects a stable, diversified local economy.

Henry outearns most regional peers

Henry County ($69,912) leads all peers except Jasper County ($71,094), commanding incomes notably above Hancock ($65,044), Hamilton ($61,520), and Hardin ($57,155). This positions Henry as a relative economic anchor in southwestern Illinois.

Rising home values test affordability

Henry's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% remains just below stress threshold, but median home values of $145,300 are the highest in the sample. Buyers need strong down payments and stable income to manage these higher property costs.

Higher incomes enable serious investing

Per capita income of $38,767 and median household earnings of $69,912 give Henry residents room to save aggressively and invest. Households should leverage this advantage through retirement accounts, home equity, and diversified portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Henry County

via CrimeByCounty

Henry County Remains Safer Than Average

Henry County earns a safety score of 98.5, indicating a generally secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 956.1 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Aligning Close to State Safety Trends

The county’s crime rate of 956.1 is slightly higher than the Illinois state average of 835.0. Data from 13 different reporting agencies provides a robust and transparent view of the local safety landscape.

Active Monitoring Across the Region

Henry County experiences more frequent incidents than some smaller neighbors but remains safer than many Illinois urban centers. The presence of multiple law enforcement agencies ensures active monitoring of regional trends.

Property Crime Drives Local Incidents

Property crime accounts for the vast majority of local reports at 854.4 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime remains low at 101.7, which is far below the national violent crime average of 369.8.

Smart Strategies to Deter Theft

Since property crime is the primary concern, visible security measures like alarm systems are highly effective. Keeping valuables out of sight and well-lit entryways can significantly reduce the risk of opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Henry County

via WeatherByCounty

Significantly cooler than the national median

Henry County's 50.0°F average temperature is much lower than the national median of 53°F. It represents a colder northern humid continental climate.

Among the coldest counties in Illinois

The average temperature of 50.0°F is 2.8°F lower than the state average of 52.8°F. This makes Henry one of the chillier regions in the Land of Lincoln.

A regional leader in annual snowfall

Henry receives 28.7 inches of snow, which is significantly more than neighbors like Iroquois. Its 38.7 inches of total precipitation is also below the state average.

Harsh winters and mild, manageable summers

Winter temperatures average a frigid 25.4°F, contributing to the high snow totals. Summer is relatively comfortable with only 16 days of extreme heat.

Invest in heavy-duty winter gear and heating

Residents should prioritize high-quality snow blowers for the 28.7-inch snow season. Home heating systems are the primary utility concern given the 22.1°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Henry County

via SoilByCounty

Henry County's Dark, Rich Earth

Henry County soil has a pH of 6.29, which is slightly more acidic than the state average of 6.39. Despite this, the soil is exceptionally productive, contributing to a high soil score of 80.5. This acidity is within the manageable range for the majority of Midwest row crops.

Increased Sand for Better Flow

The soil contains 20.5% sand, which is notably higher than many neighboring counties, along with 55.2% silt and 21.3% clay. This extra sand improves the soil's workability and helps water move through the profile more easily. The balance of particles makes it less likely to become waterlogged compared to pure clay or silt soils.

Elite Organic Matter Levels

Henry County stands out with an impressive 4.82% organic matter, nearly double the national average and well above the state's 2.94%. This massive reservoir of organic carbon fuels plant growth and enhances soil structure. The available water capacity of 0.205 in/in also beats the state average, providing a perfect safety net for crops.

Superior Agricultural Potential

A soil score of 80.5 ranks this county among the best for farming in Illinois. The sandier composition suggests better-than-average drainage for the region, reducing the risk of root rot in wet years. These soils are highly prized for their resilience and consistent yields.

Garden Success in Zone 5b

Located in zone 5b, Henry County handles cold winters while supporting a massive range of summer vegetables. The extremely high organic matter means your garden will require less fertilizer than almost anywhere else in the state. Plant heavy feeders like pumpkins, corn, or tomatoes to see this soil's true power.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Henry County

via LawnByCounty

A Northern Success Story

Henry County earns a strong lawn difficulty score of 76.7, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This Hardiness Zone 5b area favors cool-season grasses that can withstand the colder winters of northern Illinois.

Cool Nights and Comfortable Days

With only 16 extreme heat days and 38.7 inches of rain, the climate is very gentle on cool-season turf. The 3222 growing degree days mean your mowing schedule is predictable and manageable throughout the peak season.

Balanced Texture and Steady pH

The soil pH of 6.29 is within the healthy range, while the 20.5% sand content is higher than many neighbors, likely aiding in natural drainage. You can maintain this foundation with simple annual fertilization and regular mowing at the proper height.

Resilience During Dry Stretches

The county has faced 23 weeks of drought in the past year, but severe drought currently impacts only 2.2% of the area. This stability allows you to focus on routine care rather than emergency watering for most of the summer.

Timing the Frost Window

Wait for the ground to warm after the April 24 frost before starting your spring projects. Because the first fall frost arrives on October 17, late August is the prime time for overseeding to ensure the grass matures before the cold sets in.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Henry County's county score?
Henry County, Illinois has a composite county score of 51 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Henry County rank among counties in Illinois?
Henry County ranks #67 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Henry County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Henry County is $3,016, with an effective tax rate of 1.99%. This earns Henry County a tax score of 2.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Henry County?
The median household income in Henry County, Illinois is $71,911 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Henry County earns an income score of 66.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Henry County, Illinois a good place to live?
Henry County scores 51/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Henry County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Henry County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.