countyscore
52.6
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.

20406080100115874.261.16163.820.116.558.2Tax11Cost58Safety74.2Health61.1Schools61Income63.8Risk20.1Water16.5Weather58.252.6/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Macoupin County DNA

Foverall

How Macoupin County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Macoupin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (74.2/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (16.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
11-41
Cost
58+10
Safety
74.2+19.200000000000003
Health
61.1+11.100000000000001
Schools
61
Income
63.8+12.799999999999997
Risk
20.1-26.9
Water
16.5-41.5
Weather
58.2
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Many homeowners in Macoupin County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$138,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$801/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$138,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,805/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Greene County
Illinois
61.4
Jersey County
Illinois
52.3
Montgomery County
Illinois
45.9
Madison County
Illinois
37.8
Morgan County
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Bond County
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Calhoun County
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Scott County
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Deep Dives

Macoupin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 52.6 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 #54 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 $2,073, with an effective tax rate of 1.50%. This earns Macoupin County a tax score of 11/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Macoupin County?
The median household income in Macoupin County, Illinois is $70,805 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Macoupin County earns an income score of 63.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Macoupin County, Illinois a good place to live?
Macoupin County scores 52.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #54 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.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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