Johnson County's composite score of 70.7 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it well into the top tier of American counties. This exceptional score reflects a county with multiple strong livability dimensions.
2 / 5
Top performer in Illinois
Johnson County scores 70.7, significantly outpacing Illinois's state average of 62.1, making it one of the state's most livable counties. Its performance stands out prominently among its peers.
3 / 5
Tax efficiency and affordability lead
Johnson County excels with a tax score of 65.2 backed by the state's lowest effective tax rate of 1.317%, paired with a cost score of 86.0 and rent at just $634/month. This is truly exceptional value for residents seeking to minimize fiscal burdens.
4 / 5
Lower median incomes warrant attention
Johnson County's income score of 26.0 and median household income of $65,203 are its relative weakness, though still solidly middle-class. Safety, health, and school data gaps remain.
5 / 5
Premier choice for cost-conscious Illinoisans
Johnson County is exceptional for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and ultra-affordable living. It delivers the strongest tax-and-cost combination in the state.
Johnson County's composite score of 70.7 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it well into the top tier of American counties. This exceptional score reflects a county with multiple strong livability dimensions.
Top performer in Illinois
Johnson County scores 70.7, significantly outpacing Illinois's state average of 62.1, making it one of the state's most livable counties. Its performance stands out prominently among its peers.
Tax efficiency and affordability lead
Johnson County excels with a tax score of 65.2 backed by the state's lowest effective tax rate of 1.317%, paired with a cost score of 86.0 and rent at just $634/month. This is truly exceptional value for residents seeking to minimize fiscal burdens.
Lower median incomes warrant attention
Johnson County's income score of 26.0 and median household income of $65,203 are its relative weakness, though still solidly middle-class. Safety, health, and school data gaps remain.
Premier choice for cost-conscious Illinoisans
Johnson County is exceptional for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and ultra-affordable living. It delivers the strongest tax-and-cost combination in the state.
Score breakdown
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🏛65.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.317%, Johnson County boasts the lowest effective property tax rate among all comparable counties, and significantly undercuts the national median of 1.825%. Residents pay just $1,952 annually in property taxes—30% less than the typical American household at $2,690.
Best tax rate in all of Illinois
Johnson County ranks 1st among Illinois's 102 counties with an effective rate of 1.317%, a full 50 basis points below the state average of 1.831%. Its median property tax of $1,952 is among the lowest in the state, offering exceptional value for residents.
Dramatically outpaces regional competitors
Johnson County's 1.317% effective rate crushes nearby southern Illinois counties—Jefferson (1.711%), Jersey (1.752%), and Jo Daviess (1.745%) all carry substantially higher burdens. At $1,952, Johnson's median tax is hundreds less than any neighboring county, making it Illinois's tax haven.
A $148,200 home costs just $1,952 yearly
The median Johnson County home valued at $148,200 generates an estimated annual property tax of only $1,952. Including mortgage insurance, total escrow payments reach approximately $2,337 annually—the lowest in the region.
Even low rates warrant assessment review
Even in tax-friendly Johnson County, roughly one in five homeowners may face inflated assessments. A free appeal can ensure your valuation reflects true market value and prevent overpaying, regardless of your county's overall tax rate.
Johnson County renters spend just 11.7% of income on rent, among the lowest ratios in the nation and well below the U.S. average of roughly 15%. Though household income of $65,203 runs below the national median, remarkably low rents of $634 create genuine affordability for budget households.
Illinois's most affordable county for renters
At 11.7% rent-to-income, Johnson County ranks at the top of Illinois affordability, significantly outperforming the state average of 14.7%. Median rent of $634 stands 24% below the state median of $837, making it the cheapest option in Illinois.
Dramatically cheaper than surrounding counties
Johnson County's $634 rent is 26% lower than Jefferson County's $862 and 20% lower than Knox County's $725. With the lowest owner costs ($735/month) among comparable southern Illinois counties, Johnson offers the region's best value proposition.
Johnson County's exceptional rent profile
Renters pay just $634/month while homeowners average $735/month, consuming only 11.7% and 13.5% of household income respectively. Despite the lowest median income ($65,203) among these eight counties, Johnson's rock-bottom housing costs deliver the strongest real affordability.
The Illinois affordability champion
If budget is your primary concern, Johnson County delivers unmatched housing affordability in Illinois. You'll stretch your dollars further here than anywhere else in the state, though median incomes suggest considering remote work or entrepreneurial opportunities.
Johnson County's median household income of $65,203 lags the national median of $74,755 by $9,552. This 13% shortfall indicates residents earn less than their counterparts across most of the United States.
Below Illinois State Median
At $65,203, Johnson County trails Illinois's state median of $68,580 by roughly $3,400. The county's per capita income of $28,028 notably falls short of the state average of $36,009.
Income Challenges in Southern Illinois
Johnson County earns about $14,000 less than nearby Jersey County and roughly $9,750 below Jo Daviess County. The county faces steeper income competition than most regional neighbors, reflecting local labor market conditions.
Housing Costs Are Most Manageable Here
Johnson County's 11.7% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among all eight counties—excellent news for affordability. A median home value of $148,200 paired with moderate incomes creates strong housing value.
Start Small, Think Big in Johnson County
Lower incomes make wealth-building more challenging but not impossible—Johnson County's affordable housing frees up resources for savings. Begin with a small emergency fund, take full advantage of any employer benefits, and explore low-cost index funds to build financial resilience.
Life expectancy in Johnson County stands at 75.8 years, roughly 3 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.0%) reports poor or fair health, substantially exceeding the national average of 12%.
Below-average health within Illinois
At 75.8 years, Johnson County's life expectancy trails Illinois's 76.0-year state average, though only slightly, and ranks among the state's lower performers. The uninsured rate of 6.9% exceeds the state average of 6.3%.
Regional health disparities evident
Johnson County's 75.8-year life expectancy falls substantially behind high-performing Kendall (80.5 years) and Jo Daviess (79.9 years), reflecting significant regional health inequality. The 19.0% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the comparison group.
Critical primary care shortage
Johnson County faces a severe shortage of primary care providers with only 7 per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the state data reviewed—though mental health providers are plentiful at 871 per 100,000. The 6.9% uninsured rate compounds these access challenges.
Find care in your community
With limited local primary care options and rising uninsured rates, Johnson County residents should connect with community health centers and explore insurance marketplace plans. Telehealth and regional referral programs can help bridge care gaps.
Johnson County's composite risk score of 51.08 sits comfortably below Illinois's state average of 54.46, earning a relatively low risk rating. The county's balanced hazard profile avoids extreme exposure to any single disaster type, making it among the safer areas statewide.
Lower-risk county in Illinois
With a score of 51.08 versus the state average of 54.46, Johnson County ranks in the safer half of Illinois counties. The county's earthquake risk of 91.00 stands out as notably high, but other hazards remain moderate to low.
Safest among southern Illinois counties
Johnson County's 51.08 score is substantially lower than Jefferson County (77.23) to the north and comparable to Jo Daviess County (51.30) in the far north. This positions Johnson as one of the safer options in its region.
Earthquakes pose the main threat here
Johnson County's earthquake risk of 91.00 is its dominant natural hazard, though tornado risk of 56.04 and hurricane risk of 38.09 remain moderate. Flood and wildfire risks are relatively subdued at 37.88 and 11.26 respectively.
Earthquake insurance is the priority
Johnson County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 91.00 seismic risk score—among the highest statewide. Standard homeowners insurance is typically sufficient for tornado and flood exposure, but earthquake coverage is a prudent investment for this location.