CountyScore

Jackson County

Illinois · IL

#81 in Illinois
58.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Illinois

Jackson surpasses national median

Jackson County's composite score of 61.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 22%, marking above-average livability. However, this score masks significant income challenges that deserve scrutiny.

Slightly below Illinois benchmark

Jackson's 61.0 score falls just 2% below Illinois's state average of 62.1, positioning it as a near-average performer. The county holds its own relative to peers despite notable income constraints.

Solid housing affordability prevails

Jackson's cost score of 82.3 delivers reasonable affordability with median home value of $125,000 and $746 monthly rent. Tax score of 48.6 and effective rate of 1.908% keep overall cost of living manageable.

Income is significantly below average

Jackson's income score of just 13.1 and median household income of $45,572 are substantially below peers—the lowest in this group by far. This income gap creates real economic stress despite housing affordability, leaving households vulnerable to unexpected expenses.

Challenging environment for growth

Jackson suits those with established income from remote work or pensions seeking very low housing costs, but limited local earning potential makes it difficult for job seekers. The county is best as a retreat destination rather than launching point.

Score breakdown

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

Tax48.6Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.1Risk12.9WaterComing Soon
🏛48.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.9
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 Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hillsborough County
Florida
58.8
Median income: $75,011
Monroe County
Florida
58.8
Median income: $82,430
Madison County
Illinois
58.8
Median income: $74,800
Sangamon County
Illinois
58.8
Median income: $74,114
Genesee County
New York
58.8
Median income: $72,055

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County's Tax Rate Above National Average

At 1.91%, Jackson County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.82%, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. Homeowners here pay more in property taxes relative to home values than the vast majority of American households.

Jackson Ranks Above Illinois Average

Jackson County's effective tax rate of 1.91% exceeds the Illinois state average of 1.83%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. At $2,385 median annual property taxes, residents pay notably more than the state's typical household.

Higher-Taxed Than Most Peers

Jackson County's 1.91% rate exceeds Hardin (1.18%), Hamilton (1.35%), Henderson (1.68%), and Hancock (1.86%), making it among the region's more heavily taxed counties. Only Henry (1.98%) and Iroquois (1.95%) surpass Jackson's burden.

Median Home Costs About $2,385 Yearly

On a median home value of $125,000, Jackson County homeowners pay approximately $2,385 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,939 when including additional assessments.

Assessment Challenges Pay Off Here

Jackson County's elevated tax rate makes assessment appeals especially valuable—reducing your rate even slightly yields hundreds in annual savings. Many local homeowners are overassessed and stand to benefit from filing formal valuation challenges.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson County faces serious housing affordability crisis

At 19.6%, Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio is nearly 4× the national 30% affordability standard's threshold and significantly exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average. This southern Illinois county has the highest housing cost burden of any in this comparison, reflecting both lower incomes and moderate rents.

Most strained housing market in Illinois

Jackson County's median household income of $45,572 is the lowest in this group, while its $746 rent is near the state average—creating the worst affordability crisis statewide. The county's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds the Illinois average of 14.7%.

Lowest income, severe affordability pressure

Jackson County's $45,572 median income trails every neighbor in this group, yet its $746 rent sits near regional averages, creating the worst burden ratio. No nearby county faces comparable housing cost pressure relative to income.

Housing consumes nearly 20% of income

With median household income of $45,572, Jackson County residents pay $746 monthly in rent (19.6% of income) and $840 for homeownership. This severe burden leaves little room for savings, transportation, food, and other essentials—a genuine affordability crisis.

Relocating here requires serious financial review

Jackson County's severe housing affordability crisis demands careful consideration before moving—renters and owners both face significantly tighter budgets here. Unless your income substantially exceeds the county median, housing costs will consume an uncomfortable portion of your paycheck.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson faces severe income challenge

Jackson County's median household income of $45,572 falls a striking $29,183 short of the U.S. median of $74,755—a 39% gap. This is among the widest income shortfalls in Illinois and reflects deep economic distress in the county.

Lowest income county in Illinois sample

Jackson's $45,572 trails the state average of $68,580 by $23,008, ranking it among Illinois's most economically challenged counties. The gap signals structural economic challenges requiring targeted investment and workforce development.

Jackson significantly lags all peers

Jackson ($45,572) trails every peer county by thousands of dollars, falling far below Hardin ($57,155) and Henry ($69,912). This isolation at the bottom suggests unique local challenges beyond regional agricultural pressures.

Housing crisis: rents consume 1 in 5 dollars

Jackson's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% far exceeds the 15% stress threshold, meaning renters spend nearly a fifth of all income on shelter. Median home values of $125,000 remain out of reach for most households earning $45,572.

Focus on economic mobility and skills

With per capita income of $30,227 and severe housing stress, Jackson residents must prioritize education, job training, and career advancement. Seek out workforce development programs, community college opportunities, and support networks to build sustainable income growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County faces severe health disparities

At 74.9 years, Jackson County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 1.5 years. With 21.1% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in this county group—Jackson residents experience significant health challenges.

Illinois's most challenged health county here

Jackson County's 74.9-year life expectancy falls 1.1 years below Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing it among the state's least healthy counties. The 7.2% uninsured rate exceeds state average of 6.3%, compounding access barriers.

Most health challenges in peer group

Jackson's 74.9-year life expectancy and 21.1% poor/fair health rate represent the worst outcomes in its regional cluster, trailing Henry County (77.4) and Jasper County (77.8) by 2–3 years. Only Hardin and Iroquois approach these disparities.

Excellent providers available but underutilized

Jackson County offers 162 primary care and 472 mental health providers per 100,000—among the highest in the region, likely due to its university hospital presence. Despite abundant healthcare resources, the 7.2% uninsured rate and high poor/fair health prevalence suggest that barriers beyond provider availability—poverty, insurance cost, health literacy—drive outcomes.

Tap into Jackson's healthcare resources

Jackson County's wealth of providers represents genuine opportunity; getting insured unlocks access to these services. Explore Medicaid expansion, marketplace plans, and community health programs at healthcare.gov or through local providers to begin addressing health challenges.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson County faces highest risk

Jackson County scores 87.12 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Moderate rating that far exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.46 by 60%. Your county experiences the highest natural disaster risk among all eight profiled counties, with above-average exposure to flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. This elevated position demands comprehensive hazard preparedness across multiple threat types.

Highest risk in profiled Illinois counties

Jackson County ranks substantially above the Illinois state average of 54.46 with a composite score of 87.12, placing it in the upper tier of state hazard exposure. Among the eight counties profiled, Jackson faces the single highest overall natural disaster risk, driven by substantial exposure to earthquakes (96.72), flooding (76.53), and tornadoes (74.20). This elevated standing reflects geographic factors that concentrate multiple hazards in one location.

Riskier than all nearby counties

Jackson County's 87.12 risk score substantially exceeds all neighboring counties profiled, including the next-riskiest Iroquois County (73.95) and dramatically outpacing safer peers like Hardin (8.30) and Henderson (17.53). No other county in this analysis faces comparable cumulative disaster exposure, making Jackson County unique in its hazard burden. This elevation reflects both Jackson's geographic position and the confluence of multiple natural hazard zones.

Earthquakes, flooding, and tornadoes

Earthquakes pose the highest risk at 96.72—the most elevated score among all counties analyzed—reflecting Jackson's position in a seismically active region where significant tremors can damage structures and foundations. Flooding ranks second at 76.53, driven by exposure to rivers and flood-prone areas where sustained inundation threatens homes and infrastructure. Tornadoes at 74.20 and hurricanes at 43.35 complete a suite of hazards that no other profiled county matches in intensity.

Comprehensive protection is essential

Earthquake insurance is critical in Jackson County—at 96.72, your seismic risk is the highest among all profiled counties, and standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage entirely. Flood insurance is equally non-negotiable given your 76.53 flood risk; obtain coverage immediately if you lack it, as many properties face genuine inundation hazards. Invest in tornado preparedness with a reinforced safe room, establish family communication protocols, and maintain all coverage with annual policy reviews to ensure adequate protection.

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.