CountyScore

Mason County

Illinois · IL

#60 in Illinois
63
County Score

County Report Card

About Mason County, Illinois

Mason scores solidly above national median

Mason County's composite score of 60.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 21%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of American counties. However, it falls slightly short of the Illinois state average of 62.1, indicating moderate livability relative to its regional peers.

Below-average performance within Illinois

Mason County's 60.4 score trails the state average by 1.7 points, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of Illinois counties. The county faces competitive pressure from neighbors with stronger fiscal or economic profiles.

Housing affordability is Mason's advantage

Mason County delivers the highest cost score of 83.3 in this group, with median home values of just $106,100 and rent averaging $760 monthly. These exceptional housing costs make the county particularly attractive to price-conscious households.

Highest tax burden and modest income opportunities

Mason's tax score of 41.9 is the lowest in this group, with an effective tax rate of 2.146% creating significant financial strain. The income score of 23.9 reflects limited high-wage employment, with median household income at $62,127.

Best for tax-averse, budget-first homebuyers

Mason County suits buyers with modest incomes who can tolerate higher tax rates in exchange for exceptionally low housing costs. It appeals most to retirees, rural workers, and families making economical tradeoffs between taxes and housing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax41.9Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.9Risk57WaterComing Soon
🏛41.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57
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 Mason County with another county →

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Yates County
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Brown County
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Deep Dives

Mason County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mason County

via TaxByCounty

Mason County levies top-tier tax rates

Mason County's effective tax rate of 2.146% ranks in the 71st percentile nationally, well above the national median of 1.728%. The median property tax of $2,277 approaches the national median of $2,690, despite homes valued at only $106,100—less than 38% of the national median home value.

Mason County highest-taxed in Illinois

At 2.146%, Mason County carries Illinois's highest effective tax rate, exceeding the state average of 1.831% by over 0.3 percentage points. The median property tax of $2,277 is 18% below the state median, reflecting lower home values but elevated tax pressure on residents.

Significantly outpaces all regional peers

Mason County's 2.146% rate far exceeds every neighboring county in the state—nearly 0.2 percentage points above McDonough County (2.162%) and Marshall County (1.991%). This makes Mason one of the most tax-intensive places to own property in central Illinois.

Expect $2,277 in annual property tax

On Mason County's median home value of $106,100 and effective rate of 2.146%, homeowners pay approximately $2,277 in annual property taxes. With mortgage add-ons, total obligations can reach $2,397.

Reassessment appeal strongly encouraged

Given Mason County's exceptionally high tax rates, thorough assessment verification is critical for homeowners seeking relief. The Mason County Assessor's office accepts reassessment requests at no charge—a simple filing could substantially reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mason County

via CostByCounty

Mason meets national affordability norms

Mason County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% matches the Illinois state average exactly and sits just below the national norm. The median rent of $760/month is remarkably affordable given the national context, representing strong value for residents.

Right at Illinois's affordability average

Mason County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio equals the Illinois state average, positioning it as a solid middle-ground option across the state. At $760/month median rent, Mason is $77 below the state median and ranks among the more affordable Illinois counties.

Affordable housing with slight trade-offs

Mason's $760 rent is the lowest in the region, even beating Marion's $771 and Marshall's $767 by small margins. However, Mason's median income of $62,127 is lower than Marshall's ($69,818) and Marion's ($60,839), balancing the rent advantage with tighter overall budgets.

Housing costs balanced with income

Mason County households earning $62,127 median income spend $760/month on rent (14.7%) or $755/month on homeownership costs (14.6%). These ratios are among the best in the region, leaving room for other necessities and modest savings.

Mason delivers state-average value

Relocating to Mason County puts you at Illinois's affordability sweet spot with rents matching state norms and homes valued at just $106,100. This county offers balance: affordable housing, reasonable incomes, and none of the premium costs found in northern Illinois.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mason County

via IncomeByCounty

Mason households earn below the national mark

Mason County's median household income of $62,127 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,628, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. Mason families earn roughly 17% less than the typical American household, reflecting limited high-wage job opportunities.

Mason falls short of Illinois's state average

At $62,127, Mason County lags Illinois's statewide median of $68,580 by $6,453, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 102 counties. The gap signals an economy with fewer middle- and high-income employment options than state peers.

Mason competes with similarly challenged peers

Mason County ($62,127) earns slightly more than Marion ($60,839) and Massac ($62,584) but significantly trails Marshall ($69,818) and Madison ($74,800). Its per capita income of $34,783 falls below the state average of $36,009, indicating weaker individual earning capacity across the county.

Housing affordability provides vital relief

Mason's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% means renters spend roughly $760 monthly on housing, staying well below the 30% affordability threshold and creating breathing room in tight budgets. Median home values of $106,100 make homeownership viable for median-income families, though lower overall income limits savings potential.

Build wealth despite modest Mason earnings

Mason households earning $62,127 should prioritize emergency savings and employer benefits first, as these provide the most return on limited resources. Automating even $75 monthly into a dedicated savings account or retirement plan sidesteps the temptation to spend and builds $9,000+ in a decade.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mason County

via HealthByCounty

Mason County trails national health benchmarks

Mason County's 73.8-year life expectancy falls 4.5 years short of the U.S. average of 78.3 years. With 16.8% of residents in poor or fair health, the county performs slightly better than the national average of 18%.

Significantly below Illinois average

At 73.8 years, Mason County's life expectancy lags the state average of 76.0 years by 2.2 years, indicating below-average health status. The 6.6% uninsured rate marginally exceeds Illinois's 6.3%, suggesting insurance access alone is not addressing health disparities.

Mid-range provider availability

Mason County's 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents fall between Marion County (35) and Madison County (48). Mental health capacity is limited at 40 providers per 100,000, making specialist access challenging for residents.

Insurance and access barriers compound

Mason County's 6.6% uninsured rate and 39 primary care providers per 100,000 both present moderate barriers to care. The county's 16.8% poor/fair health rate and 73.8-year life expectancy reflect a health system stretched thin.

Prioritize getting covered now

Mason County's 6.6% uninsured rate leaves roughly 1,200 residents without health protection. Check your coverage today at Healthcare.gov or contact the Mason County health department to ensure you have access to the limited providers available.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mason County

via RiskByCounty

Mason County's risk sits below average

Mason County's composite risk score of 43.03 places it in the Relatively Low category, below Illinois's state average of 54.46. This indicates manageable natural disaster risk for most residents.

Lower-risk county in Illinois

Mason County ranks in the safer half of Illinois counties, with exceptionally low wildfire risk (1.62) and flood risk (47.20). Earthquake exposure of 63.77 is moderate, while tornado risk of 52.07 remains below state averages.

Among the safer central Illinois counties

Mason County's score of 43.03 is comparable to nearby McDonough County (37.53) and substantially safer than Marshall County's 27.23. It remains far safer than the higher-risk counties of southwestern Illinois.

Flooding poses the most significant threat

Mason County's flood risk of 47.20 represents its greatest vulnerability, though still below the state average. Tornado and earthquake risks are moderate, with scores of 52.07 and 63.77 respectively.

Focus on flood insurance coverage

Mason County residents should prioritize flood insurance, especially those near rivers or low-lying areas, as standard policies exclude water damage. A basic homeowners policy combined with flood coverage provides solid protection for most Mason County properties.

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.