CountyScore

Livingston County

Illinois · IL

#78 in Illinois
59.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Livingston County, Illinois

Livingston County above national baseline

Livingston County's composite score of 58.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. This score reflects strengths in affordability partially offset by lower income levels.

Slightly below average for Illinois

With a score of 58.3, Livingston County sits just below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it in the lower-middle range of Illinois counties. The gap is modest, indicating the county remains reasonably competitive statewide.

Housing affordability shines

Livingston County scores 78.6 on cost, with a median home value of $131,500 and rent of $855/month—both notably affordable within Illinois. The tax score of 40.9 and effective rate of 2.180% further support a household budget stretched by lower expenses.

Income base lags state norms

The income score of 29.6 and median household income of $70,796 reflect a lower-wage local economy relative to Illinois averages. Data remains unavailable on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions, limiting full livability comparison.

For value-conscious rural-minded residents

Livingston County appeals to families and workers who prioritize affordable housing and modest taxes over big-city employment options. This is an ideal fit for remote workers, small business owners, or those content with modest local wages in exchange for lower cost of living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax40.9Cost78.6SafetyComing SoonHealth72.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.6Risk28.2WaterComing Soon
🏛40.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.2
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 Livingston County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Livingston County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Livingston County

via TaxByCounty

Livingston County taxes modestly above median

Livingston County's effective tax rate of 2.180% exceeds the national median of 2.690%, placing it in the higher-tax tier nationally. The median tax of $2,867 surpasses the national median of $2,690 despite lower home values.

Above-average Illinois tax burden

Livingston County's effective rate of 2.180% outpaces Illinois's state average of 1.831% by about 19%. Its median tax of $2,867 exceeds the state average of $2,782.

Livingston among higher-tax neighbors

Livingston County's 2.180% rate rivals LaSalle County (2.154%) as some of the highest in central Illinois. Only Lake County's 2.677% significantly exceeds Livingston's burden in the region.

Expect $2,867 on median home

On Livingston County's median home value of $131,500, homeowners pay approximately $2,867 annually in property taxes. This climbs to $3,075 when including mortgage-related escrow.

Appeal overassessments for tax relief

Livingston County homeowners should verify that their assessed values align with current market sales. Filing an assessment appeal could substantially lower your annual tax bill if your property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Livingston County

via CostByCounty

Livingston County leads affordability rankings

Livingston County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable in the nation, with modest rents relative to household earning power. At $70,796 median household income, Livingston residents outpace many lower-income Illinois counties while enjoying housing costs below national norms.

Illinois's most affordable county housing

Livingston County achieves Illinois's lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.5%—the only county in this analysis below the state average of 14.7%. Monthly rents of $855 are competitively priced, creating an affordability advantage across the state.

Best value among central Illinois counties

Livingston County's $855 monthly rent rivals Lee County ($853) and beats Logan County ($804) and Macon County ($797) on affordability ratios, despite higher absolute rents. Its median home value of $131,500 offers comparable value to peer counties with better income stability.

Housing costs stay well below stress levels

Renters spend $855 monthly (14.5% of income), while homeowners allocate $950 (16.1% of income) from a median household income of $70,796. Both housing cost ratios fall comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, ensuring households retain substantial income for savings and living expenses.

Top-tier affordability for Midwest movers

Livingston County delivers the best housing affordability ratio in this Illinois cohort, combining modest costs with solid local incomes. If cost of living ranks high in your relocation criteria, Livingston rivals all peer counties analyzed here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Livingston County

via IncomeByCounty

Livingston County near national median

Livingston County's median household income of $70,796 sits within 5% of the national median of $74,755, reflecting a solid middle-income profile. The county's per capita income of $36,002 matches the national average almost exactly, indicating balanced earning distribution.

Slightly above Illinois average

Livingston County's $70,796 median household income ranks 3% above the Illinois state average of $68,580, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its per capita income of $36,002 practically matches the state average of $36,009, showing typical Illinois employment patterns.

Steady earner among peers

Livingston County's $70,796 income ranks ahead of Lee County ($68,459) and Logan County ($64,188), but trails LaSalle County ($72,281). The county represents stable, middle-class economic ground within the regional eight-county group.

Best affordability ratio in sample

Livingston County residents enjoy the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 14.5%, providing exceptional financial breathing room for savings and investment. A median home value of $131,500 remains well within reach for households earning the county median, supporting homeownership accessibility.

Maximize Livingston's affordability advantage

With the lowest rent burden among peer counties, Livingston residents have extra capacity to invest in their futures. Put that affordability advantage to work by increasing retirement contributions, opening a high-yield savings account, or consulting a financial planner about building a diversified investment portfolio.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Livingston County

via HealthByCounty

Livingston slightly trails national health

Livingston County's life expectancy of 75.4 years falls one year short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. At 18.3% poor/fair health, residents report similar health challenges as the national average of 21%, suggesting manageable but not exceptional health outcomes.

Slightly below Illinois average

At 75.4 years, Livingston County's life expectancy trails the Illinois state average of 76.0 years by 0.6 years. The county ranks in the middle tier of state health outcomes, neither leading nor lagging significantly behind peers.

Moderate provider access

Livingston County offers 48 primary care providers and 224 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—solid numbers that exceed rural neighbors but fall short of larger urban centers like Lake County. This moderate access means most residents can find care locally, though wait times may vary seasonally.

Fair insurance coverage, adequate care access

With 5.8% uninsured, Livingston beats the state average slightly, and 48 primary care providers per 100K offers reasonable access to routine health services. For daily healthcare needs, residents typically find providers within reasonable distance, though specialty care may require travel to nearby larger cities.

Lock in coverage this season

Livingston County's moderate healthcare access makes continuous insurance essential for managing unexpected costs and planned care. Explore plans at healthcare.gov or contact your employer to ensure uninterrupted coverage year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Livingston County

via RiskByCounty

Livingston County faces moderate risk

With a composite risk score of 71.8 and a relatively low rating, Livingston County sits somewhat above the national average. Elevated flood risk and moderate tornado exposure drive this score, though the overall profile remains manageable.

Above state average but not extreme

Livingston County's score of 71.8 exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.5, placing it in the upper-middle range of county risk statewide. The county experiences above-average disaster exposure without reaching high-risk status.

Moderate risk within the region

Livingston County's score of 71.8 sits between Lee County (54.4) and LaSalle County (86.1). Its flood risk of 81.1 is notably elevated compared to immediate neighbors, reflecting the county's vulnerability to water hazards.

Flooding is your dominant hazard

Livingston County's flood risk score of 81.1 is the county's primary concern, significantly exceeding its tornado risk of 52.5. Major precipitation events and river flooding pose the greatest threats to property and safety in this county.

Flood insurance is non-negotiable

Livingston County's 81.1 flood risk makes flood insurance a critical investment for all homeowners, not just those in mapped flood zones. Secure coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier to protect against what statistically is your county's largest natural disaster threat.

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.