CountyScore

Massac County

Illinois · IL

#47 in Illinois
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Massac County, Illinois

Massac leads the group nationally

Massac County's composite score of 66.7 ranks highest among these eight counties and sits 33% above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance places Massac in the top quarter of U.S. counties for overall livability.

Illinois top performer in this group

Massac County scores 4.6 points above the Illinois state average of 62.1, earning it a ranking among the state's better-performing counties. The advantage is built on exceptional tax management and solid housing affordability.

Lowest tax burden with strong affordability

Massac's tax score of 60.1 is the highest in this group, backed by an effective tax rate of just 1.499—the lowest among all eight counties. Combined with a cost score of 82.2 and median home values of $118,000, Massac delivers genuine financial relief to residents.

Limited economic opportunity and income growth

Massac's income score of 24.2 is among the lowest, with median household income of $62,584 indicating constrained earning potential. The county lacks the diverse employment base necessary to support higher-wage opportunities.

Premier choice for tax-conscious value seekers

Massac County is ideal for households prioritizing tax efficiency and affordable housing over earning potential, making it perfect for retirees and modest-income families. Its combination of low taxes and low housing costs makes it the strongest value play in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.1Cost82.2SafetyComing SoonHealth69.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk38.4WaterComing Soon
🏛60.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.2
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
❤69.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.4
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 Massac County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Montgomery County
Alabama
65
Median income: $58,153
Mohave County
Arizona
65
Median income: $55,799
Navajo County
Arizona
65
Median income: $52,752
Adams County
Illinois
65
Median income: $64,962
Hamilton County
Indiana
65
Median income: $117,957

Deep Dives

Massac County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Massac County

via TaxByCounty

Massac County offers tax relief

Massac County's effective tax rate of 1.499% ranks in the 27th percentile nationally, significantly below the national median of 1.728%. The median property tax of $1,769 is 34% lower than the national median of $2,690, providing meaningful savings for homeowners on a per-dollar basis.

Massac ranks lowest in Illinois

At 1.499%, Massac County boasts Illinois's lowest effective tax rate, nearly 0.4 percentage points below the state average of 1.831%. The median property tax of $1,769 is the lowest among peer counties, offering southeastern Illinois residents a genuine tax advantage.

Lowest-taxed county in the region

Massac County's 1.499% rate beats every neighboring county—sitting well below Marion County (1.707%) and dramatically lower than Mason County (2.146%). For tax-conscious homebuyers, Massac offers the strongest regional value.

Annual tax bill averages just $1,769

On Massac County's median home value of $118,000 and effective rate of 1.499%, residents pay approximately $1,769 annually in property taxes. This is among the lowest in Illinois and reflects the county's commitment to affordability.

Verify your assessment for extra savings

Even in low-tax Massac County, assessment errors can inflate your bill unnecessarily. File a reassessment request with the Massac County Assessor—it's free and could uncover additional tax relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Massac County

via CostByCounty

Massac rents slightly above fair share

Massac County residents spend 15.2% of household income on rent, slightly above the national benchmark and matching Marion County's ratio. At a median of $793/month and median household income of $62,584, Massac offers modest affordability challenges offset by lower overall incomes.

Modestly above Illinois average

Massac's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% exceeds Illinois's state average of 14.7%, putting it in the less affordable tier of Illinois counties. The median rent of $793 is $44 above the state average, reflecting regional cost pressures.

Mid-range costs among regional peers

Massac's $793 rent falls between Marion ($771) and Madison ($969), occupying the middle ground regionally. Homeownership costs are competitive at $786/month, slightly below Marshall's $858 and well below Madison's $1,109.

Balanced but modest housing burden

With a median income of $62,584, Massac residents spend $793/month on rent (15.2%) or $786/month on homeownership (15.1%). Housing consumes roughly one-third of gross income, leaving moderate resources for utilities, food, transportation, and emergencies.

Massac offers southern Illinois balance

If you're considering relocation in southern Illinois, Massac County provides middle-tier affordability with home values around $118,000. Compare this to nearby Marion (most affordable) and you'll find Massac slightly pricier but with more developed amenities and services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Massac County

via IncomeByCounty

Massac falls short on national income scale

Massac County's median household income of $62,584 sits $12,171 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 40% of U.S. counties. Massac families earn roughly 16% less than typical American households, reflecting economic constraints common to rural Southern Illinois.

Massac ranks below Illinois state median

At $62,584, Massac County trails Illinois's statewide median of $68,580 by $5,996, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 102 counties. The gap reflects limited job diversity and lower-wage employment dominance in the regional economy.

Massac matches struggling peer counties

Massac County ($62,584) nearly matches Marion ($60,839) and Mason ($62,127) but trails Marshall ($69,818) and Madison ($74,800) by $7,000–$12,000 per household. Its per capita income of $31,578 ranks below the state average of $36,009, indicating weaker earning power across individual residents.

Affordable housing eases financial pressure

Massac's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% means renters spend roughly $790 monthly on housing, maintaining good affordability margins despite modest incomes. With median home values at $118,000, homeownership is accessible to median-income families, providing an affordable path to wealth building.

Invest in Massac's affordable housing market

Massac households earning $62,584 should prioritize homeownership as a wealth-building strategy, since median home values of $118,000 remain achievable and build equity over time. Starting with a financial literacy course or meeting with a credit counselor can unlock better mortgage terms and accelerate wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Massac County

via HealthByCounty

Massac County faces health challenges

At 73.5 years, Massac County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 4.8 years. The county's 19.3% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling above-average health struggles.

Well below Illinois health outcomes

Massac County's 73.5-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Illinois, falling 2.5 years below the state average of 76.0. The 6.5% uninsured rate roughly matches the state average of 6.3%, suggesting structural health challenges beyond coverage gaps.

Severe primary care gap

Massac County's 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent a critical shortage compared to neighbors like Madison County (48) and Marion County (35). Mental health capacity is a bright spot at 403 providers per 100,000, far exceeding regional peers.

Limited providers threaten health access

With only 22 primary care providers per 100,000 and a 6.5% uninsured rate, Massac County residents face significant barriers to preventive care. The resulting 19.3% poor/fair health rate and 73.5-year life expectancy reflect the toll of limited access.

Coverage is critical here

Massac County's 6.5% uninsured rate—roughly 1,100 uninsured residents—is especially problematic given the county's provider shortage. Get covered immediately at Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to maximize your access to the county's limited resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Massac County

via RiskByCounty

Massac County ranks above state average

Massac County's composite risk score of 61.61 places it in the Relatively Low category, above Illinois's state average of 54.46. This moderate risk level reflects notable exposure to several natural hazards across the county.

Mid-tier risk among Illinois counties

Massac County ranks in the middle range of Illinois counties, with particularly high earthquake risk (93.58) and tornado risk (66.51). Its flood risk of 43.03 is moderate, while wildfire exposure remains minimal at 7.63.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Massac County's composite score of 61.61 exceeds nearby Marshall County (27.23), Mason County (43.03), and McDonough County (37.53), but falls well below Madison County (93.42) to the north. Massac occupies a middle ground in regional risk.

Earthquakes and tornadoes drive risk

Massac County faces an exceptional earthquake risk of 93.58, making seismic activity its primary concern alongside tornadoes (66.51). Flooding presents moderate risk with a score of 43.03, particularly near the Ohio River.

Earthquake coverage deserves serious consideration

Massac County's extremely high earthquake risk of 93.58 makes standalone earthquake insurance a worthwhile investment, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage. Combine this with comprehensive flood coverage for the most complete protection in this region.

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.