countyscore
50.3
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.

Score breakdown

Tax3.4Cost46.1Safety58.5Health79.4Schools63.3Income66.1Risk42.9Water30.3Weather52.3
🏛3.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠46.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼66.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡58.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤79.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓63.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡42.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧30.3
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤52.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨80.5
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱76.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Henry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Cost of Living in Henry County

via CostByCounty

Henry County: moderate affordability, higher values

At 14.4%, Henry County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Illinois's 14.7% state average and comfortably under the national 30% threshold. However, the county's median home value of $145,300 is notably the highest in this comparison group, reflecting stronger property appreciation.

Mid-range affordability with premium homes

Henry County's $837 median rent matches Illinois's state average exactly, but its 14.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among the state's more affordable counties. The median home value of $145,300 significantly exceeds most Illinois peers, suggesting stronger equity-building potential.

Highest home values in the region

Henry County's $145,300 median home value substantially exceeds neighbors like Hamilton ($108,800) and Hancock ($108,400), with homeowners paying $923 monthly—higher than most peers. This premium reflects stronger property appreciation and a more competitive real estate market.

Rents average, ownership premium

With median household income of $69,912, Henry County residents pay $837 in rent (14.4% of income) and $923 for homeownership on properties valued 33% above the county average. The combination suggests strong property values supporting wealth-building through ownership.

Quality homes worth the investment

If building equity through homeownership appeals to you, Henry County's higher property values and robust market offer solid long-term potential. Compare its ownership costs against neighbors—the premium may pay dividends as a growing market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Henry County

via HealthByCounty

Henry County leads region on life expectancy

At 77.4 years, Henry County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, benefiting from health advantages that add nearly a year of life. Only 15.5% report poor or fair health, well below the national 17.3% rate.

Top performer on Illinois health metrics

Henry County's 77.4-year life expectancy ranks among Illinois's best, exceeding the state average of 76.0 by 1.4 years. With a 6.0% uninsured rate essentially matching the state's 6.3%, residents enjoy both longevity and reasonable coverage.

Near the top of peer group rankings

Henry County's 77.4 years trails only Jasper County's 77.8 among its regional peers and matches Hancock County's 77.3. Its low poor/fair health rate of 15.5% is among the best in the county comparison group.

Balanced primary care, solid mental health access

Henry County provides 23 primary care providers and 54 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both at reasonable levels for a rural county. These moderate capacity levels align with the county's strong health outcomes, suggesting efficient, community-based care.

Maintain coverage for sustained good health

Henry County's strong health outcomes reflect consistent access to care—keep your coverage current to preserve these advantages. If uninsured, explore marketplace options at healthcare.gov or Medicaid to join 94% of county residents with health security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Henry County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Large and Varied School Infrastructure

Henry County supports a significant student population of 7,859 across 27 public schools and 11 different districts. The county features a comprehensive mix of 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, and nine high schools. This extensive infrastructure provides a wide range of educational options for residents across various towns and rural areas.

Strong Graduation Rates and Efficient Budgets

Henry County achieves a 91.0% graduation rate, which sits comfortably above both the state average of 88.8% and the national average of 87.0%. Educators maintain these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $8,290, which is over $900 less than the state average. The overall school score of 56.8 indicates consistent performance across its many districts.

Major Districts Serving the County

Geneseo CUSD 228 and Kewanee CUSD 229 are the county's largest districts, serving 2,463 and 1,969 students respectively. Together, they manage 12 of the county's 27 schools, while smaller districts like Orion CUSD 223 serve roughly 1,000 students. There are no charter schools in the county, with all students attending traditional public institutions.

A Blend of Rural and Town Lifestyles

Henry County offers a diverse mix of locales, featuring 14 rural schools, 12 town schools, and one suburban campus. The average school size is 314 students, though the scale varies from smaller primary schools to Geneseo High School, which hosts 809 students. This variety allows families to choose between a smaller town feel or a larger, more traditional high school experience.

Relocate to a High-Performing District

With a graduation rate that beats national averages, Henry County is a top contender for families looking to buy a home in Illinois. Whether you prefer a rural setting or a town environment, the county's 11 districts offer plenty of high-quality choices. Explore local listings to find the perfect home near one of these established schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Henry County

via RiskByCounty

Henry County faces elevated risk

Henry County scores 57.09 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating that slightly exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.46. Your county experiences roughly the same natural disaster risk as typical Illinois communities, with notable exposure to tornadoes and flooding. This mid-range position reflects a blend of moderate-to-high hazard exposure across multiple disaster types.

Above-average risk among Illinois counties

Henry County ranks slightly above the Illinois state average of 54.46 with a composite score of 57.09, placing it in the middle band of state hazard exposure. While many Illinois counties face lower risk, others experience substantially more—Henry's position reflects above-average vulnerability to tornadoes (70.36) and flooding (51.53). This intermediate standing calls for proactive hazard preparedness across multiple threat types.

Riskier than safer neighbors

Henry County's 57.09 risk score significantly exceeds nearby Henderson County (17.53), Hancock County (31.08), and Hardin County (8.30), making it the riskiest in the immediate region. Jackson County (87.12) to the southeast faces substantially more hazard exposure, driven by higher earthquake and flood risks. Hamilton County (30.82), though safer, still faces considerably less overall risk than Henry.

Tornadoes and flooding dominate

Tornadoes represent the highest hazard at 70.36, making Henry County vulnerable to powerful springtime storms that can cause severe property damage and injury—this is a critical preparedness priority. Flooding ranks second at 51.53, reflecting exposure to river systems and flood-prone areas where water damage can devastate homes and infrastructure. Earthquakes (58.11) and wildfire (7.12) pose tertiary but real risks worth acknowledging.

Essential protections for Henry County

Flood insurance is crucial in Henry County given your elevated flood risk (51.53)—most properties in mapped flood zones are required to carry it, and it's prudent for others as well. Tornado preparedness is non-negotiable: identify and stock a safe room, establish family communication protocols, and stay weather-aware during spring months. Consider earthquake coverage as well, given the moderate seismic risk (58.11), and review all policies annually to ensure adequate coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 50.3 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 #68 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 $2,877, with an effective tax rate of 1.98%. This earns Henry County a tax score of 3.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Henry County?
The median household income in Henry County, Illinois is $69,912 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Henry County earns an income score of 66.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Henry County, Illinois a good place to live?
Henry County scores 50.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #68 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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