countyscore
52.5
County Score
Safety 74.2Soil Quality 73.2Lawn Care 69.5

County Report Card

About Macoupin County, Illinois

Above the National Median

Macoupin County earns a composite score of 52.5, placing it above the national median of 50.0. It offers a competitive mix of safety and affordability for its residents.

Aligning with Illinois Standards

The county's score of 52.5 is almost perfectly aligned with the Illinois state average of 52.8. It stands out for having a better tax score than many of its neighbors.

Safety and Home Affordability

Safety is strong with a score of 74.2, and housing is affordable with a cost score of 58.3. The median home value of $126,100 makes ownership attainable for many.

Water and Risk Concerns

Environmental risk and water quality are weak points, with scores of 20.1 and 16.5 respectively. These infrastructure and geographical factors are the primary drags on the overall score.

Solid Choice for Workers

Macoupin County is ideal for middle-income workers who want a safe, quiet community with low entry costs. It suits those who prioritize financial stability and community safety.

Score breakdown

Tax9.7Cost58.3Safety74.2Health61.1Schools61Income63.1Risk20.1Water16.5Weather58.2
🏛9.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼63.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡74.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤61.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓61
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡20.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧16.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤58.2
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨73.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱69.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Macoupin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Macoupin County

via TaxByCounty

Macoupin County taxes below national norm

Macoupin County's effective tax rate of 1.578% sits well below the national median of 2.690%, making it a genuinely affordable option nationally. The median tax of $1,990 falls short of the national median of $2,690.

Among Illinois's lower-tax counties

Macoupin County's effective rate of 1.578% falls below Illinois's state average of 1.831% by about 14%. Its median tax of $1,990 significantly undercuts the state average of $2,782.

Macoupin County favorably low

Macoupin County's 1.578% rate ranks among the lowest in the region, exceeded only by Lawrence County (1.210%). It substantially undercuts peers like Logan (1.839%) and Macon (2.102%).

Low taxes on median $126,100 home

On Macoupin County's median home value of $126,100, homeowners pay just $1,990 annually in property taxes. This increases modestly to $2,045 with mortgage escrow included.

Even low-tax counties warrant review

Macoupin County homeowners should still verify their assessments against recent comparable sales. An appeal is worth considering if your property's assessed value exceeds what similar homes have sold for.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Macoupin County

via CostByCounty

Macoupin County leads national affordability

Macoupin County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the most affordable in the nation, with the lowest ratio among all eight counties analyzed. At $68,518 median household income paired with $789 monthly rent, Macoupin residents enjoy substantial housing security.

Illinois's most affordable housing market

Macoupin County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio is the only one in this analysis to fall below Illinois's 14.7% state average, making it the state's most affordable county by this measure. Monthly rents of $789 represent the lowest absolute costs in the cohort.

Best affordability in western Illinois

Macoupin County's $789 monthly rent undercuts all seven peer counties, while its 13.8% affordability ratio beats even Livingston County's 14.5%. Home values at $126,100 remain modest, offering genuine buying power for cost-conscious relocators.

Housing costs leave room to build wealth

Renters allocate just 13.8% of a $68,518 median income to $789 monthly rent, while homeowners spend $830 (14.5% of income) on mortgages—the lowest ratios in this analysis. Both figures leave substantial income for savings and living expenses, enabling genuine financial stability.

Top Illinois choice for affordability seekers

Macoupin County delivers the most attractive housing affordability profile in this analysis: lowest rents, lowest affordability ratio, and solid incomes. If cost of living is your primary relocation driver, Macoupin County outranks all peer Illinois counties analyzed.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Macoupin County

via IncomeByCounty

Macoupin County near national median

Macoupin County's median household income of $68,518 sits 8% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income range. The county's per capita income of $35,389 runs 6% below the national average, reflecting modest but stable earnings.

Essentially at Illinois average

Macoupin County's $68,518 median household income virtually matches the Illinois state average of $68,580, placing it squarely in the middle of state county rankings. Its per capita income of $35,389 sits 2% below the state average, indicating typical Illinois employment and wage patterns.

Competitive middle-ground position

Macoupin County's $68,518 income ranks ahead of Logan County ($64,188), Macon County ($62,449), and Lawrence County ($53,438), but trails LaSalle County and Livingston County. The county represents moderate, working-class economic ground within the regional comparison.

Best housing affordability in sample

Macoupin County residents enjoy the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 13.8%, the best affordability metric among all eight counties studied. A median home value of $126,100 aligns well with county incomes, making homeownership accessible and freeing household resources for savings.

Leverage affordability for wealth building

Macoupin County's exceptional 13.8% housing affordability ratio gives residents more disposable income than peer counties at similar earnings levels. Capture this advantage by setting up automatic savings transfers, contributing to retirement plans, and exploring investment options with a financial advisor to compound wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Macoupin County

via CrimeByCounty

Macoupin County offers a safe environment

Macoupin County maintains a total crime rate of 612.4 per 100,000 residents, which is about 74% lower than the national average. This performance results in a high safety score of 99.0 out of 100.

Outperforming the Illinois average

Macoupin County's safety score of 99.0 is higher than the state average of 98.7. Its crime rate of 612.4 is also notably better than the state's average total crime rate of 835.0 per 100,000 people.

A regional leader in security

Macoupin County is considerably safer than its southern neighbor, Madison County, which has a much higher incident rate. Nine reporting agencies collaborate to keep the county's crime levels consistently low compared to regional peers.

Focusing on property crime trends

The violent crime rate is low at 93.5 per 100,000, while property crime is reported at 518.9. Both of these metrics remain well below the national averages of 369.8 for violent crime and 2,015.7 for property crime.

Keep your Macoupin home secure

With property crime being the most common local issue, residents should ensure all entry points are locked and monitored. Simple measures like using timers for lights can discourage potential intruders while you are away.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Macoupin County

via HealthByCounty

Macoupin trails national health standards

At 75.1 years, Macoupin County's life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 18.3% poor/fair health, residents report health challenges comparable to or slightly below national trends.

Below Illinois average life expectancy

Macoupin County's 75.1-year life expectancy trails Illinois's state average of 76.0 years, positioning it in the lower-performing tier of state counties. This gap reflects persistent health challenges in the community.

Lowest primary care access in group

At just 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Macoupin County has the lowest primary care access of all eight counties analyzed. With 86 mental health providers, it faces a stark primary-care shortage that forces many residents to seek care outside the county.

Critical shortage of primary providers

Though 6.5% uninsured rate is only slightly above average, Macoupin's severe shortage of primary care providers (25 per 100K) means residents struggle to find family doctors for routine checkups. This daily reality of limited access can delay diagnosis and treatment of preventable conditions.

Get covered immediately

In a county facing acute provider shortages, comprehensive health insurance is essential to coordinate care and access distant specialists. Enroll at healthcare.gov now to secure coverage that covers providers in nearby counties you may need to visit regularly.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Macoupin County

via SchoolsByCounty

Comprehensive Coverage Across Rural Illinois

Macoupin County serves 7,456 students through 28 public schools, evenly balanced with 11 elementary and 10 high schools. Nine districts work together to provide educational access across this large geographic area.

Steady Results Near State Benchmarks

The county maintains an 88.5% graduation rate, nearly matching the state average of 88.8%. With per-pupil spending at $9,184, Macoupin stays close to the Illinois average, resulting in a composite school score of 57.5.

Local Districts Focused on Core Education

Southwestern CUSD 9 and North Mac CUSD 34 are the largest districts, each serving roughly 1,200 students. There are no charter schools in the county, as the community focuses on strengthening its traditional district schools.

Cozy Schools in Town and Country

Life in Macoupin schools is defined by small enrollments, with an average of 287 students per school. The largest campus is Staunton Elementary with 563 students, illustrating the small-scale nature of the county's 15 rural and 13 town schools.

Find Your Place in a Traditional Community

Macoupin County is perfect for families seeking a stable, traditional school environment with graduation rates that keep pace with the rest of Illinois. Discover homes in this area where the school district is often the heart of the town.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Macoupin County

via RiskByCounty

Macoupin County faces moderate risk

With a composite risk score of 79.9 and a relatively low rating, Macoupin County ranks somewhat above the national average. Earthquake risk of 94.1 and tornado risk of 78.0 drive the county's exposure profile.

Above-average risk for Illinois

Macoupin County's score of 79.9 exceeds Illinois' state average of 54.5, placing it in the upper-middle range of county risk. The county experiences notably above-average disaster vulnerability compared to most state peers.

Similar risk to nearby Macon County

Macoupin County's score of 79.9 closely approaches Macon County (83.3) and substantially exceeds Logan County (58.1). The county's earthquake risk of 94.1 is particularly distinctive among neighboring areas.

Earthquakes and tornadoes lead threats

Macoupin County's earthquake risk of 94.1 and tornado risk of 78.0 are the dominant hazard concerns. These two threats significantly exceed the county's other risks and should anchor your disaster preparedness strategy.

Prioritize earthquake and wind coverage

Macoupin County residents should invest in earthquake insurance, as the county's 94.1 earthquake risk is among the highest in Illinois and isn't covered by standard homeowners policies. Confirm that your policy includes strong wind and hail protection for tornado damage, making these two additions essential.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Macoupin County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Wetter than Average

Macoupin County's 54.1°F average temperature makes it warmer than the national median. It receives 39.4 inches of rain annually, placing it in the heart of the humid continental zone.

Leaning Toward Illinois' Warmer Side

The county's 54.1°F annual average is over a degree higher than the Illinois state average of 52.8°F. This warming trend is evident in its mild 31.3°F winter average.

Transitioning Toward Southern Illinois

Macoupin acts as a bridge, with 26 extreme heat days—fewer than southern Marion but more than northern Livingston. Its 16.4 inches of snowfall is also a midpoint for the state.

Hot Summers and Soft Winters

July averages a warm 76.7°F, contributing to 26 days per year that exceed 90°F. Winters are relatively mild, with January temperatures averaging 28.1°F.

Manage Humidity and Mid-Range Heat

Residents should prepare for high summer humidity and nearly a month's worth of 90°F days. With 16.4 inches of snow, standard winter gear is necessary but rarely faces northern-style blizzards.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Macoupin County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Silty Loams

Macoupin County has an average pH of 6.34, making it more acidic than the national median and the Illinois state average. Despite this acidity, the county maintains a respectable soil score of 73.2.

Silt-Heavy Soil Profile

The soil is dominated by silt at 67.1%, one of the highest percentages in the state, with only 11% sand. This makes for a very smooth soil that holds water exceptionally well but can be easily compacted by heavy machinery.

Deep Water Reserves

Available water capacity is high at 0.211 in/in, surpassing the state average of 0.204 in/in. Although organic matter is slightly lower at 2.24%, the soil’s ability to store water makes it quite resilient.

Moisture-Rich Landscapes

Specific drainage classes are not listed, but the high silt content and high water capacity suggest a soil that stays damp. This is excellent for moisture-loving plants but may require soil amendments to improve aeration for some species.

Southern Growth in Zone 6b

Located in Hardiness Zone 6b, Macoupin County benefits from a mild climate and a long growing season. The deep water reserves in the soil are perfect for maintaining a productive garden even during the peak of summer.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Macoupin County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Lawns Along the State Average

Macoupin County sits right at the state average with a lawn difficulty score of 69.5. This Zone 6b location is significantly easier to manage than the national average score of 50.0.

Wet Climate and Long Growth Cycles

With 3,883 growing degree days and 39.4 inches of rain, the climate is warm and wet enough to support a long growing season. You can expect 26 extreme heat days, which is typical for central Illinois weather patterns.

Acidic Soil Basics for Macoupin

The soil is healthy and slightly acidic with a pH of 6.34 and 21.9% clay content. While specific drainage data is missing, this soil profile usually requires moderate aeration to help water reach the roots in heavy clay patches.

Managing Turf During Severe Dry Spells

Drought currently covers 100% of the county, with 83.5% classified as severe. After 31 weeks of drought this past year, it is essential to mow at higher settings to protect the grass crowns from heat stress.

Seeding Fescue for Heat Tolerance

Tall Fescue is the top recommendation for Zone 6b due to its ability to handle both heat and cold. Seed your lawn after the April 14 frost date to ensure it is established before the late October 29 frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macoupin County's county score?
Macoupin County, Illinois has a composite county score of 52.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Macoupin County rank among counties in Illinois?
Macoupin County ranks #58 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Macoupin County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Macoupin County is $1,990, with an effective tax rate of 1.58%. This earns Macoupin County a tax score of 9.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Macoupin County?
The median household income in Macoupin County, Illinois is $68,518 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Macoupin County earns an income score of 63.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Macoupin County, Illinois a good place to live?
Macoupin County scores 52.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #58 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Macoupin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Macoupin County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.