Iroquois County's composite score of 61.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23%, placing it in the above-average range. This performance is anchored by affordability, though income potential remains modest.
2 / 5
Essentially at state average
Iroquois's 61.4 score sits just 1% below Illinois's state average of 62.1, making it nearly identical to the state benchmark. The county is a typical performer within its state ecosystem, neither excelling nor underperforming.
3 / 5
Affordable housing, reasonable rents
Iroquois's cost score of 81.3 delivers solid affordability with median home value of $125,400 and gross rent of $793 per month. Tax score of 47.3 reflects moderate tax burden at 1.953%, keeping total costs down.
4 / 5
Income levels lag behind housing costs
With median household income of $62,439 and income score of just 24.1, Iroquois residents earn less than needed to access higher-value housing. Missing safety, health, school, and environmental data also obscures broader quality-of-life questions.
5 / 5
Steady option for moderate incomes
Iroquois suits households with modest incomes seeking affordable, stable communities without exceptional amenities or earning potential. The county offers familiar, accessible Midwestern living.
Iroquois County's composite score of 61.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 23%, placing it in the above-average range. This performance is anchored by affordability, though income potential remains modest.
Essentially at state average
Iroquois's 61.4 score sits just 1% below Illinois's state average of 62.1, making it nearly identical to the state benchmark. The county is a typical performer within its state ecosystem, neither excelling nor underperforming.
Affordable housing, reasonable rents
Iroquois's cost score of 81.3 delivers solid affordability with median home value of $125,400 and gross rent of $793 per month. Tax score of 47.3 reflects moderate tax burden at 1.953%, keeping total costs down.
Income levels lag behind housing costs
With median household income of $62,439 and income score of just 24.1, Iroquois residents earn less than needed to access higher-value housing. Missing safety, health, school, and environmental data also obscures broader quality-of-life questions.
Steady option for moderate incomes
Iroquois suits households with modest incomes seeking affordable, stable communities without exceptional amenities or earning potential. The county offers familiar, accessible Midwestern living.
Score breakdown
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🏛47.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.95%, Iroquois County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.82%, placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay more in property taxes relative to home values than roughly six in ten American households.
Iroquois Ranks Above State Average
Iroquois County's effective tax rate of 1.95% exceeds the Illinois state average of 1.83%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties across the state. At $2,449 median annual property taxes, residents pay substantially more than the typical Illinois household.
Among Region's Higher-Taxed Counties
Iroquois County's 1.95% rate sits above most regional peers including Hardin (1.18%), Hamilton (1.35%), and Henderson (1.68%), making it one of the more heavily burdened areas in the region. Only Henry (1.98%) approaches or exceeds Iroquois's tax rate.
Median Home Costs About $2,449 Yearly
On a median home value of $125,400, Iroquois County homeowners pay approximately $2,449 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,643 when including additional assessments.
Reduce Your Tax Bill Through Appeals
In a higher-tax county like Iroquois, assessment appeals offer meaningful opportunity to lower annual payments. Many homeowners find their properties assessed above comparable market values and can realize hundreds in savings through successful challenges.
At 15.2%, Iroquois County's rent-to-income ratio matches Henderson County as the highest in this group and exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average. While still below the national 30% affordability threshold, renters here allocate a noticeably larger share of income to housing than typical Illinoisans.
Above-average rent burden statewide
Iroquois County's $793 median rent runs below the state's $837 average, but its 15.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the statewide 14.7%. The county sits in the upper-middle tier of housing affordability challenges across Illinois.
Mid-range rents with high affordability pressure
Iroquois County's $793 rent falls between Hamilton ($566) and Henderson ($834), but its 15.2% rent-to-income ratio ties Henderson for the highest burden in this region. The county's above-median home values ($125,400) add to overall housing cost pressures.
Rent takes 15.2% of household income
With median household income of $62,439, residents pay $793 monthly in rent and $847 for homeownership on properties averaging $125,400. The combination creates stronger cost pressures than many neighboring counties, leaving less discretionary income.
Evaluate housing costs against income carefully
Iroquois County's higher rent burden relative to income makes careful budgeting essential before relocating. Compare its affordability metrics closely to neighbors like Hamilton or Jasper, where income-to-rent ratios are measurably better.
Iroquois County's median household income of $62,439 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $12,316. This 16% gap is typical for rural agricultural counties competing in a national economy increasingly skewed toward higher-wage metros.
Below state average; midrange county
Iroquois's $62,439 median falls short of the Illinois state average of $68,580 by roughly $6,141, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The county reflects typical challenges facing rural Illinois.
Middle-low earner in regional cluster
Iroquois ($62,439) outearns Hardin ($57,155) but trails Hancock ($65,044) and Henry ($69,912). The county sits squarely in the middle of the regional income distribution, typical of northern Illinois farm counties.
Rents eating large share of income
Iroquois's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% signals housing stress, meaning renters are spending a problematic chunk of earnings on shelter. Median home values of $125,400 are rising, tightening affordability further.
Prioritize financial planning and education
With per capita income of $34,719 and rising housing costs, Iroquois households must budget aggressively to build wealth. Seek out local financial counseling, explore low-cost investing, and focus on career advancement and skills training.
At 74.7 years, Iroquois County falls 1.7 years short of the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4, representing meaningful health disadvantage. With 18.2% reporting poor or fair health compared to 17.3% nationally, residents face above-average health struggles.
Below Illinois average on life expectancy
Iroquois County's 74.7-year life expectancy lags Illinois's 76.0-year average by 1.3 years, placing it among the state's less healthy counties. Its 7.6% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 6.3%, affecting healthcare access.
Health challenges evident in regional comparison
Iroquois's 74.7-year life expectancy trails peers like Henry County (77.4) and Hancock County (77.3) by substantial margins. Its 7.6% uninsured rate is the highest among regional peers, signaling both health and economic stress.
Mental health abundant, primary care limited
Iroquois boasts 352 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—exceptionally high—yet offers just 30 primary care providers per 100,000, creating a care mismatch. The 7.6% uninsured rate likely limits access to both services, despite availability.
Health coverage is essential in Iroquois County
With the county's higher uninsured rate, securing coverage becomes critical for accessing available primary and mental health services. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department about Medicaid and marketplace options tailored to your budget.
Iroquois County scores 73.95 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating that significantly exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.46 by 36%. Your county experiences substantially higher natural disaster risk than typical Illinois communities, particularly from flooding and tornadoes. This elevated position reflects above-average exposure to multiple major hazard types.
Above-average risk among peers
Iroquois County ranks notably above the Illinois state average of 54.46 with a composite score of 73.95, placing it in the upper-middle band of state hazard exposure. Only Jackson County (87.12) among profiled peers faces significantly more risk; Iroquois' higher-than-average position is driven primarily by flood exposure (79.58) and tornado vulnerability (57.19). This standing demands proactive hazard preparedness.
Riskier than most nearby counties
Iroquois County's 73.95 score substantially exceeds safer neighbors like Hardin (8.30), Henderson (17.53), and Hancock (31.08), making it the riskiest in the broader region except for Jackson County. Henry County (57.09) poses lower overall risk, while Jackson County (87.12) carries notably more hazard exposure. This elevation reflects Iroquois' agricultural landscape and vulnerability to river flooding and severe convective storms.
Flooding and tornadoes dominate
Flooding represents the highest hazard at 79.58—nearly 60% higher than the state average—making Iroquois County vulnerable to inundation from swollen rivers, streams, and saturated soils during wet periods. Tornadoes rank second at 57.19, a significant seasonal threat that can cause catastrophic damage to homes and infrastructure throughout spring and early summer. Earthquakes (71.06) and hurricanes (30.58) pose secondary but real risks that deserve preparation.
Critical protections for Iroquois
Flood insurance is non-negotiable in Iroquois County—obtain it immediately if you lack coverage, as your elevated flood risk (79.58) puts property at genuine hazard and many mortgage lenders require it. Tornado preparedness is equally vital: construct or identify a reinforced safe room, practice sheltering drills with your household, and monitor weather actively during severe thunderstorm seasons. Review earthquake coverage options with your insurance agent; the moderate risk (71.06) combined with potential structural damage makes it a worthwhile investment.