CountyScore

Macoupin County

Illinois · IL

#54 in Illinois
63.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Macoupin County, Illinois

Macoupin County leads regional livability

Macoupin County's composite score of 66.0 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. This strong score reflects excellent affordability, reasonable taxes, and adequate income levels.

Above Illinois state average

With a score of 66.0, Macoupin County exceeds the Illinois state average of 62.1, ranking it among the higher-performing counties in the state. This positions the county as one of Illinois's more livable communities overall.

Best-in-class tax and cost profile

Macoupin County excels with a tax score of 57.9 (lowest effective rate at 1.578%) and cost score of 81.6, offering a median home value of $126,100 and rent of $789/month. This combination provides exceptional value relative to income levels.

Income base remains below average

With an income score of 28.1 and median household income of $68,518, Macoupin County reflects a modest local wage economy. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain unavailable, limiting a complete livability assessment.

For value-conscious families everywhere

Macoupin County appeals to families and workers seeking the best balance of affordability, low taxes, and reasonable incomes within southern Illinois. This is an ideal county for those who want to keep living costs minimal without sacrificing all wage opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.9Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.1Risk20.1WaterComing Soon
🏛57.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
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
❤71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡20.1
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 Macoupin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Georgia
63.6
Median income: $108,986
Maui County
Hawaii
63.6
Median income: $95,076
East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana
63.6
Median income: $63,075
Kent County
Michigan
63.6
Median income: $80,390
Washington County
Minnesota
63.6
Median income: $114,457

Deep Dives

Macoupin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

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.