CountyScore

LaSalle County

Illinois · IL

#85 in Illinois
58
County Score

County Report Card

About LaSalle County, Illinois

LaSalle County exceeds national livability baseline

LaSalle County's composite score of 58.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. This score reflects a county with meaningful strengths in affordability and tax burden, balanced by income challenges.

Slightly below Illinois average

LaSalle County scores 58.0 against Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Illinois counties. The gap is narrow enough to suggest the county remains competitive within the state's livability landscape.

Affordability is LaSalle's calling card

LaSalle County excels in cost with a score of 77.0, offering a median home value of $154,900 and rent of just $906/month—among the most affordable in the state. The tax score of 41.7 and effective rate of 2.154% also provide relief relative to higher-tax Illinois counties.

Income levels lag significantly

With an income score of just 30.6 and median household income of $72,281, LaSalle County reflects a lower-wage employment base relative to other Illinois counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remains unavailable, leaving important livability questions unanswered.

For budget-conscious families seeking value

LaSalle County appeals to families prioritizing affordability and lower taxes over maximum earning potential. This is a county where your housing and tax dollars stretch further, though wage opportunities and community amenities beyond housing require closer local research.

Score breakdown

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

Tax41.7Cost77SafetyComing SoonHealth73SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk13.9WaterComing Soon
🏛41.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡13.9
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 LaSalle County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Placer County
California
58
Median income: $114,678
Grafton County
New Hampshire
58
Median income: $84,021
Albany County
New York
58
Median income: $83,149
Orleans County
New York
58
Median income: $63,838
Lucas County
Ohio
58
Median income: $60,095

Deep Dives

LaSalle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in LaSalle County

via TaxByCounty

LaSalle County taxes above national norm

LaSalle County's effective tax rate of 2.154% sits comfortably above the national median of 2.690%, placing it in the upper tax burden tier. The median annual tax of $3,336 exceeds the national median of $2,690 despite a lower-than-average home value.

Well above Illinois average tax rate

LaSalle County's 2.154% effective rate outpaces Illinois's state average of 1.831% by 32 percentage points. Its median tax bill of $3,336 surpasses the state average of $2,782.

LaSalle taxes more than most peers

LaSalle County's rate of 2.154% exceeds neighboring Livingston County (2.180%) narrowly, but significantly outpaces Lee County (1.921%) and Logan County (1.839%). Regional tax burdens vary considerably across central Illinois.

Median home costs $3,336 yearly

On LaSalle County's median home value of $154,900, homeowners pay approximately $3,336 in annual property taxes. Mortgage holders see that figure climb to $3,692 through escrow.

Appeal if assessed above market value

LaSalle County homeowners should verify their assessment reflects current market conditions. If your assessed value exceeds comparable sales in your area, filing an appeal could reduce your annual tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in LaSalle County

via CostByCounty

LaSalle stays near national affordability marks

LaSalle County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio sits near the national average, reflecting modest rents relative to household income. With a median household income of $72,281—nearly aligned with the national median of $74,755—LaSalle offers housing costs proportional to local earning power.

Slightly above Illinois affordability average

LaSalle County's 15.0% rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average, positioning it as a moderately affordable Illinois county. Monthly rents at $906 are well above the state average of $837, though still accessible compared to higher-cost metros.

Mid-range costs between urban and rural

LaSalle County's $906 monthly rent falls between Lake County's premium $1,434 and rural Lawrence County's $810, reflecting its status as a mid-size metropolitan area. Home values follow the same pattern: LaSalle's median of $154,900 is more affordable than Lake County's $326,600 but valued above Lawrence County's $95,500.

Balanced housing burden across tenures

Renters spend $906 monthly (15.0% of income), while homeowners allocate $990 monthly (16.4% of income) from a median household income of $72,281. Both ratios remain well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating strong housing value for LaSalle residents.

Sweet spot for affordable Midwest living

LaSalle County offers solid affordability for families earning near the local median, with housing costs consuming roughly one-sixth of income. Compare LaSalle's mid-range pricing and economic stability to nearby Lake County's premium rents or Lawrence County's ultra-affordable options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in LaSalle County

via IncomeByCounty

LaSalle just below the national average

LaSalle County's median household income of $72,281 runs slightly below the national median of $74,755, marking it as a middle-income region. The county's per capita income of $38,079 sits comfortably above the national average, indicating steady earning potential across the population.

Middle-of-the-pack Illinois ranking

LaSalle County's $72,281 median household income sits nearly 5% above Illinois' state average of $68,580, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of county rankings. Its per capita income of $38,079 exceeds the state average by 6%, reflecting stable, working-class employment.

Competitive with regional peers

LaSalle County's $72,281 income places it ahead of Lawrence County ($53,438) and Logan County ($64,188), but trails the wealthier Lake County ($108,917). The county represents a moderate-income zone within Illinois' diverse economic landscape.

Solid affordability with modest margins

At 15.0% of income spent on rent, LaSalle County residents stay comfortably within affordable housing ranges with room for savings. A median home value of $154,900 remains accessible to households earning the county median, supporting homeownership as an achievable wealth-building goal.

Build financial security from your base

LaSalle County's solid median income of $72,281 provides a stable foundation for long-term wealth creation through consistent saving. Start by automating monthly contributions to savings accounts, then explore employer-sponsored retirement plans and low-cost index funds to grow your nest egg over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in LaSalle County

via HealthByCounty

LaSalle lags behind national health

LaSalle County's life expectancy of 75.8 years falls 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Nearly 18% of residents experience poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 21%, pointing to health challenges that merit attention.

Below-average health in Illinois

LaSalle County's 75.8-year life expectancy trails Illinois's state average of 76.0 years slightly, placing it in the lower half of state rankings. With 17.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces steeper health burdens than many peers.

Provider shortage relative to peers

LaSalle County has just 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—less than half the availability in neighboring Lee County (73) and significantly fewer mental health providers (129 vs. Lee's 746). This gap means residents often travel farther for routine care.

Modest insurance gap, limited providers

At 6.2%, LaSalle's uninsured rate is slightly below the state average, but the shortage of primary care providers (38 per 100K) creates real access challenges for daily healthcare. Rural location and provider scarcity mean waits for appointments can be longer than urban counties.

Secure coverage now

With limited local provider options, health insurance becomes even more critical to navigate complex referrals and telehealth services. Check marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or contact the Illinois Department of Insurance for coverage options that work for rural access.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in LaSalle County

via RiskByCounty

LaSalle County faces moderate-to-high risk nationally

With a composite risk score of 86.1 and a relatively moderate rating, LaSalle County's disaster exposure exceeds the national average. This score reflects meaningful vulnerability to flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes that warrants proactive preparation.

Above average risk for Illinois

LaSalle County's score of 86.1 ranks it well above Illinois' state average of 54.5. The county is among the more hazard-prone areas in Illinois, though not in the highest tier of risk.

Riskier than some surrounding counties

LaSalle County's composite risk of 86.1 exceeds neighboring Livingston County (71.8) and Lee County (54.4). Its elevated flood risk of 88.2 and tornado risk of 84.1 position it as one of the more vulnerable counties in the region.

Flooding and tornadoes drive your risk

Flood risk of 88.2 and tornado risk of 84.1 are LaSalle County's primary hazard concerns. Both hazards have the potential to cause significant property damage and warrant serious mitigation planning.

Prioritize flood and wind protection

LaSalle County homeowners should ensure flood insurance is in place through the NFIP or a private carrier, as standard policies don't cover flood damage. Additionally, verify that your homeowners policy includes adequate coverage for wind and hail damage from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

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.