CountyScore

Lee County

Illinois · IL

#62 in Illinois
62.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Lee County, Illinois

Lee County exceeds national livability standard

Lee County's composite score of 60.8 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 61st percentile nationally. This score reflects a balanced profile of moderate costs, reasonable taxes, and moderate incomes.

Near the Illinois average

Lee County's score of 60.8 sits just below Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it right in the middle of Illinois's livability spectrum. This suggests the county offers conditions comparable to the typical Illinois experience.

Solid affordability across the board

Lee County excels with a cost score of 78.4, featuring a median home value of $155,100 and rent of $853/month—both well below state averages. The tax score of 48.2 and effective rate of 1.921% also provide reasonable relief relative to higher-tax Illinois regions.

Income opportunities remain modest

With an income score of 28.1 and median household income of $68,459, Lee County reflects a limited local wage base. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available, leaving broader livability questions pending.

For families seeking Midwest balance

Lee County suits families and individuals who want affordable housing and reasonable taxes without sacrificing a typical Illinois lifestyle. This is a county for those who prioritize housing costs over maximum earning potential and value stable, quiet rural or small-town living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax48.2Cost78.4SafetyComing SoonHealth74.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk45.6WaterComing Soon
🏛48.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.6
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 Lee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Humboldt County
California
62.9
Median income: $61,135
Franklin County
Illinois
62.9
Median income: $53,471
Saratoga County
New York
62.9
Median income: $99,653
Edgecombe County
North Carolina
62.9
Median income: $48,480
Yamhill County
Oregon
62.9
Median income: $87,084

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee County taxes slightly below national

Lee County's effective tax rate of 1.921% falls slightly below the national median of 2.690%, offering moderate tax relief. The median tax bill of $2,980 edges above the national median of $2,690 due to the county's reasonable home values.

Modest taxes for Illinois residents

Lee County's effective rate of 1.921% exceeds Illinois's state average of 1.831% by just 0.09 percentage points. Its median tax of $2,980 runs close to the state average of $2,782.

Lee County in the moderate range

Lee County's 1.921% rate sits between lower-tax counties like Lawrence (1.210%) and higher-tax neighbors like LaSalle (2.154%). The county offers a middle ground for property tax burden in the region.

Median annual tax is $2,980

On Lee County's median home value of $155,100, homeowners pay approximately $2,980 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that increases to $3,189.

Check if you're overassessed

Lee County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. If your assessment is significantly higher, an appeal could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Lee County housing near national norms

Lee County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just below the national average, reflecting reasonable affordability for a rural Midwest county. With median household income of $68,459—9% below the national median—Lee County residents manage housing costs effectively relative to their earnings.

Below-average costs across Illinois

Lee County's 14.9% rent-to-income ratio falls just below Illinois's 14.7% state average, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. Monthly rents of $853 remain notably below the state average of $837, offering substantial value compared to urban Illinois markets.

Affordable rural alternative to Chicago metros

Lee County's $853 rent undercuts Lake County by 40% while remaining comparable to fellow rural counties like LaSalle ($906) and Logan ($804). Home values at $155,100 similarly position Lee as an affordable option for buyers seeking rural living without Lawrence County's income constraints.

Balanced costs favor both renters and owners

Lee County renters allocate 14.9% of a $68,459 median income to $853 monthly rent, while homeowners spend $966 (16.9% of income) on mortgages. Both ratios remain well below the 30% affordability benchmark, offering genuine housing security for Lee County households.

Solid value for rural Midwest seekers

Lee County combines affordable housing with stable local incomes, making it attractive for families prioritizing cost of living over urban amenities. Compare Lee's balanced affordability to neighboring LaSalle's slightly higher costs or Lawrence's income-affordability gap.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County slightly below national median

Lee County's median household income of $68,459 runs 8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income band. The county's per capita income of $35,065 sits 3% below the national average, reflecting modest but stable employment.

Slightly below Illinois average

Lee County's $68,459 median household income ranks near the Illinois state average of $68,580, placing it squarely in the middle tier of the state's counties. Its per capita income of $35,065 sits just below the state average of $36,009, indicating typical Illinois earning patterns.

Middle ground in regional comparison

Lee County's $68,459 income exceeds Lawrence County's $53,438 but trails LaSalle County's $72,281, positioning it as a moderate-income region. The county sits near the middle of the eight-county sample, neither particularly wealthy nor economically stressed.

Manageable housing affordability

Lee County residents spend 14.9% of their income on rent, staying well below the 30% affordability threshold and maintaining financial flexibility. With a median home value of $155,100, homeownership aligns with county incomes for working families.

Steady income supports long-term planning

Lee County's stable median income of $68,459 provides a reliable platform for wealth building through consistent, systematic investing. Consider setting up automatic transfers to a savings account, exploring employer 401(k) matches, and periodically reviewing your financial goals with a trusted advisor.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Lee County outpaces national health

At 77.4 years, Lee County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years, giving residents nearly a year of extra life expectancy. At 18.7% poor/fair health, it sits slightly above the national rate, but strong provider access offsets this gap.

Above-average life in Illinois

Lee County's 77.4-year life expectancy ranks it well above Illinois's state average of 76.0 years. This places Lee among the state's healthier counties, reflecting strong community health outcomes.

Best provider access in region

Lee County leads its peers with 73 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and an extraordinary 746 mental health providers—far exceeding nearby counties. This robust healthcare infrastructure ensures residents can access both physical and mental health services locally.

Strong coverage and care availability

At 5.6%, Lee County has the lowest uninsured rate among all eight counties, paired with abundant primary care options (73 per 100K). Residents benefit from consistent access to routine checkups, specialists, and mental health support without the travel burdens facing neighboring counties.

Maintain your coverage

With excellent local health services, Lee County residents should ensure continuous coverage to maximize access. Review your current plan at healthcare.gov or with your employer annually to keep utilizing the strong provider network available locally.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County has below-average risk

With a composite risk score of 54.4 and a relatively low rating, Lee County sits nearly at the national average. This score reflects moderate exposure to tornadoes and flooding, balanced by lower earthquake and hurricane risks.

Close to Illinois' state average

Lee County's score of 54.4 nearly matches Illinois' state average of 54.5, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk spectrum. The county experiences typical disaster exposure compared to most Illinois counties.

Similar risk profile to area counties

Lee County's risk of 54.4 aligns closely with Logan County (58.1) and sits well below LaSalle County (86.1). The county occupies a moderate risk position among its immediate neighbors.

Tornadoes and floods are primary threats

Lee County faces a tornado risk of 69.8 and a flood risk of 62.5, making these the county's most significant hazards. Both hazards carry the potential for moderate property damage and population displacement.

Ensure flood and wind coverage

Lee County residents should obtain flood insurance to cover damage from heavy rainfall and river flooding, since standard policies don't include flood protection. Review your homeowners policy to confirm adequate wind and hail coverage for tornado and severe thunderstorm events.

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.