CountyScore

Macon County

Illinois · IL

#80 in Illinois
59.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Macon County, Illinois

Macon County exceeds national livability baseline

Macon County's composite score of 59.7 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 60th percentile nationally. This score reflects meaningful strengths in affordability and cost efficiency.

Slightly below Illinois average

With a score of 59.7, Macon County sits just below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Illinois counties. The gap is narrow, suggesting the county remains competitive within the state.

Outstanding housing value

Macon County scores 81.0 on cost with a median home value of just $121,800 and rent of $797/month—among the most affordable in Illinois. The tax score of 43.2 and effective rate of 2.102% further enhance the affordability profile.

Income levels significantly lag

The income score of 24.2 and median household income of $62,449 reflect a lower-wage economy relative to state and national baselines. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available, leaving key livability dimensions unmeasured.

For budget-first households

Macon County is built for families and individuals determined to minimize housing and tax expenses, particularly retirees and remote workers. This county maximizes purchasing power for those with income independent of local employment and rewards strict cost management.

Score breakdown

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

Tax43.2Cost81SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk16.7WaterComing Soon
🏛43.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.7
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 Macon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Washington County
Oregon
59.2
Median income: $104,434
Gaines County
Texas
59.2
Median income: $76,605
Chatham County
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Tazewell County
Illinois
59.3
Median income: $76,704
Coos County
New Hampshire
59.1
Median income: $58,439

Deep Dives

Macon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Macon County

via TaxByCounty

Macon County taxes moderately above median

Macon County's effective tax rate of 2.102% exceeds the national median of 2.690%, ranking it in the higher-tax tier nationally. The median tax bill of $2,560 falls short of the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower-than-average home values.

Above Illinois state average

Macon County's effective rate of 2.102% surpasses Illinois's state average of 1.831% by about 15%. Its median tax of $2,560 slightly underperforms the state average of $2,782.

Macon County moderately taxed

Macon County's 2.102% rate places it among the mid-to-upper range for the region, below LaSalle (2.154%) and Livingston (2.180%) but above Lawrence (1.210%) and Logan (1.839%). Regional variation is substantial.

Median home costs $2,560 yearly

On Macon County's median home value of $121,800, homeowners pay approximately $2,560 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $2,728.

Challenge assessments if warranted

Macon County homeowners should compare their assessed values to comparable recent sales. If your assessment appears inflated, filing an appeal could yield meaningful tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Macon County

via CostByCounty

Macon County moderately affordable nationally

Macon County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio sits near national affordability averages, though median household income of $62,449 trails the national median by 16%. Residents manage housing costs reasonably well relative to their earnings, despite regional wage constraints.

Mid-range affordability across Illinois

Macon County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average by a narrow margin, reflecting modest housing costs relative to local incomes. At $797 monthly, Macon rents rank among the lowest statewide.

Lowest rents, mixed income story

Macon County's $797 monthly rent is the lowest among the eight counties analyzed, yet median incomes of $62,449 are also near the bottom, limiting the affordability advantage. Home values at $121,800 offer solid value for buyers seeking rural living at minimal cost.

Homeownership notably more affordable

Renters dedicate 15.3% of a $62,449 median income to $797 monthly rent, while homeowners spend just $865 (16.6% of income) on mortgages. The modest gap between renter and owner costs makes Macon an unusual market where both housing tenures remain genuinely affordable.

Ultra-low costs for patient homebuyers

Macon County attracts relocators seeking minimal housing costs combined with affordable homeownership, though lower incomes may limit job market opportunities. Weigh Macon's ultra-low rents against stronger earning potential in neighboring Livingston or Lee counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Macon County

via IncomeByCounty

Macon County income lags nationally

Macon County's median household income of $62,449 falls 16% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income band. The county's per capita income of $35,850 runs 4% below the national average, indicating modest household resources.

Ranks among Illinois' lower counties

Macon County's $62,449 median household income sits 9% below the Illinois state average of $68,580, placing it among the state's more economically challenged counties. Its per capita income of $35,850 matches closely with the state average of $36,009, masking wider household-level income gaps.

Lower-income area in regional context

Macon County's $62,449 ranks below six of the eight-county group, exceeding only Lawrence County ($53,438) and trailing Lee County by $5,990. The county reflects persistent economic challenges requiring community-wide development initiatives.

Rent burden creeping upward

At 15.3% of income spent on rent, Macon County residents face higher housing burdens than several peer counties, leaving less for savings. A median home value of $121,800 offers relative affordability, but limited incomes constrain homebuying power and emergency financial reserves.

Prioritize foundational financial health

Macon County residents earning $62,449 should prioritize building financial resilience before investing aggressively. Start by creating a written budget, establishing a $500 emergency fund, then gradually increase savings as capacity grows—even $25 monthly in a savings account builds momentum over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Macon County

via HealthByCounty

Macon lags behind national life expectancy

At 74.6 years, Macon County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest nationally, trailing the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 1.8 years. With 18.6% poor/fair health, residents face health challenges that demand attention despite the presence of Decatur as a regional medical hub.

Below-average health outcomes in state

Macon County's 74.6-year life expectancy is 1.4 years below Illinois's state average of 76.0, placing it among the state's lower performers. This gap suggests the county's health outcomes lag despite urban amenities in Decatur.

Decent providers in county seat

Macon County has 89 primary care providers and 186 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—respectable numbers boosted by Decatur's medical infrastructure. However, rural portions of the county still struggle with provider shortages, creating two-tier access.

Low uninsurance, uneven provider reach

At 5.4%, Macon County ties for the lowest uninsured rate, yet 89 primary care providers per 100K suggests access gaps outside Decatur's urban core. Rural residents may face longer travel times despite the county's aggregate provider numbers.

Verify your coverage works locally

With strong insurance enrollment but uneven provider distribution, verify your plan covers both Decatur-based specialists and rural clinics near you. Visit healthcare.gov to confirm network coverage in your specific area of Macon County.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Macon County

via RiskByCounty

Macon County faces moderate-high risk

With a composite risk score of 83.3 and a relatively moderate rating, Macon County ranks above the national average across multiple hazard categories. Tornado, flood, and earthquake risks all contribute significantly to this elevated score.

Among Illinois' higher-risk counties

Macon County's score of 83.3 substantially exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.5, ranking it in the upper tier of county risk statewide. This county faces considerably above-average disaster exposure compared to most of Illinois.

Riskier than most area counties

Macon County's score of 83.3 exceeds neighboring Logan County (58.1) and Macoupin County (79.9). Its tornado risk of 86.1 and earthquake risk of 89.9 position it as one of the region's more hazard-prone areas.

Tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods combine

Macon County residents face a tornado risk of 86.1, an earthquake risk of 89.9, and a flood risk of 83.3—an unusually potent combination of major hazards. Each of these three threats individually warrants serious preparedness planning.

Secure multi-hazard coverage today

Macon County homeowners must obtain flood insurance separately, as standard policies don't cover flood damage, and should evaluate earthquake insurance given the county's 89.9 earthquake risk. Verify that wind and hail coverage is robust enough to handle tornado damage, making comprehensive protection your priority.

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.