CountyScore

McDonough County

Illinois · IL

#64 in Illinois
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About McDonough County, Illinois

McDonough exceeds national livability baseline

McDonough County's composite score of 59.0 sits 18% above the national median of 50.0, confirming above-average livability despite ranking below the Illinois state average of 62.1. The county performs adequately on the national scale but faces competitive disadvantages within Illinois.

Below state average, challenges remain

McDonough County scores 3.1 points below the Illinois state average, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The gap reflects significant challenges in income generation and tax burden management.

Housing affordability remains accessible

McDonough's cost score of 82.7 ranks among the highest in this group, with median home values of $103,500 and monthly rent at $730. These low housing costs provide genuine relief to households facing budget constraints.

Lowest income and highest relative tax burden

McDonough's income score of 16.3 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of just $50,434 indicating severe economic constraints. The tax score of 41.5 combines with this low income to create real financial pressure on residents.

Suited for minimum-income households seeking shelter

McDonough County serves those with the most constrained incomes and modest employment opportunities seeking affordable housing and living costs. The county works best for retirees on fixed incomes or workers in rural, lower-wage sectors who need rock-bottom housing costs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax41.5Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.3Risk62.5WaterComing Soon
🏛41.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.5
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 McDonough County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
Clarke County
Georgia
62.5
Median income: $52,267
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175
Scott County
Iowa
62.5
Median income: $76,363

Deep Dives

McDonough County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McDonough County

via TaxByCounty

McDonough County levies above-median taxes

McDonough County's effective tax rate of 2.162% ranks in the 71st percentile nationally, significantly exceeding the national median of 1.728%. The median property tax of $2,238 is 17% lower than the national median of $2,690, despite the elevated rate, due to lower home values of $103,500.

McDonough ranks high in Illinois

At 2.162%, McDonough County's effective tax rate is the second-highest in Illinois, exceeding the state average of 1.831% by 0.33 percentage points. The median property tax of $2,238 falls below the state median of $2,782, but the rate itself represents significant tax pressure.

Second-highest rate among peers

McDonough County's 2.162% rate edges out Mason County (2.146%) as the state's most burdensome, well above regional neighbors Marion County (1.707%) and Massac County (1.499%). This places McDonough among the most tax-intensive counties in central Illinois.

Budget $2,238 for annual property tax

On McDonough County's median home value of $103,500 and effective rate of 2.162%, homeowners pay approximately $2,238 in annual property taxes. This obligation can reach $2,268 when mortgage-related fees are included.

Assessment appeal could yield relief

McDonough County's elevated tax rate makes assessment accuracy paramount for cost-conscious homeowners. Submit a reassessment request to the McDonough County Assessor's office at no charge—correcting overvaluations is a straightforward path to lower taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McDonough County

via CostByCounty

McDonough faces Illinois's hardest affordability

McDonough County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% is the highest among all Illinois counties reviewed and significantly above the national norm of ~15%. With a median household income of just $50,434—the lowest in this analysis—residents here face genuine affordability stress.

Illinois's most strained rental market

McDonough's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio far exceeds the Illinois state average of 14.7%, making it the most burdened county in this review. The gap signals that McDonough residents dedicate significantly more of their income to housing than their state peers.

Lowest income, highest burden

McDonough's median income of $50,434 is lowest among regional peers, yet its rent of $730/month creates a 17.4% burden—higher than all neighbors. This mismatch reveals structural affordability challenges: McDonough's housing costs are moderate, but incomes are too low to support them comfortably.

Housing dominates household budgets

McDonough residents earning $50,434 median income spend $730/month on rent (17.4%) or $832/month on homeownership (19.7%). These figures mean roughly one-third or more of gross income goes to housing, severely constraining budgets for food, healthcare, and savings.

McDonough demands careful planning

If considering McDonough County, understand that it faces Illinois's toughest affordability landscape with the lowest incomes and highest rent burden. Relocating here requires strong job prospects or significant savings; compare this reality to more affordable neighbors like Marion or Marshall before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McDonough County

via IncomeByCounty

McDonough faces steepest national income gap

McDonough County's median household income of $50,434 falls a striking $24,321 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties. McDonough families earn roughly 33% less than the typical American household—a substantial economic disadvantage tied to limited job opportunities.

McDonough ranks lowest among state counties

At $50,434, McDonough County trails Illinois's statewide median of $68,580 by $18,146, ranking it among the lowest-income counties in the state. This significant gap reflects an economy heavily dependent on lower-wage sectors and limited access to high-earning employment.

McDonough struggles significantly against peers

McDonough County ($50,434) earns far less than every peer county—Marion ($60,839), Mason ($62,127), Marshall ($69,818), and Madison ($74,800) all exceed it by $10,000–$24,000 per household. Its per capita income of $30,785 is the lowest among featured counties, indicating systemic earning constraints.

Housing affordability becomes critical lifeline

McDonough's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% means renters spend roughly $730 monthly on housing—above the 15% county average but still manageable on limited incomes. Median home values of $103,500 make homeownership theoretically accessible, though lower household incomes make down payments and mortgage qualification challenging.

Strategic planning essential in tight budgets

McDonough households earning $50,434 must adopt zero-based budgeting to identify every savings opportunity—even $25 monthly in a dedicated account grows to $3,000 over a decade. Accessing free financial counseling through community nonprofits and maximizing any available tax credits (EITC) can meaningfully improve financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McDonough County

via HealthByCounty

McDonough tops state in longevity

McDonough County's 76.7-year life expectancy slightly trails the U.S. average of 78.3 years by 1.6 years, but ranks among Illinois's best. Despite this strength, 20% of residents report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 18%.

Above-average life expectancy statewide

At 76.7 years, McDonough County's life expectancy exceeds the Illinois average of 76.0 years, positioning it among the state's healthier counties. The 6.0% uninsured rate beats the state average of 6.3%, showing strong coverage reach.

Strong primary care provider network

McDonough County's 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent the strongest capacity among its peer group. Its 224 mental health providers per 100,000 provide solid behavioral health support, though below some neighboring counties.

Good access masks underlying health concerns

With 52 primary care providers per 100,000 and a 6.0% uninsured rate, McDonough County has strong healthcare infrastructure. Yet the 20% poor/fair health rate suggests residents face social or economic barriers beyond insurance coverage.

Maintain solid coverage

McDonough County's 6.0% uninsured rate is better than state average, but 1,400 residents remain uninsured. Verify your coverage at Healthcare.gov to ensure you're taking full advantage of the county's robust provider network.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McDonough County

via RiskByCounty

McDonough ranks well below state average

McDonough County's composite risk score of 37.53 places it in the Very Low risk category, significantly below Illinois's state average of 54.46. This makes McDonough one of the safer counties for natural disaster exposure in the state.

Among Illinois's lowest-risk counties

McDonough County ranks among the safest counties in Illinois, with exceptionally low wildfire risk (0.86) and flood risk (21.09). Its tornado risk of 52.00 remains below state averages, and earthquake exposure is moderate at 59.57.

Safest county in its region

McDonough County's composite score of 37.53 is notably lower than neighboring Mason County (43.03), Massac County (61.61), and especially Madison County (93.42). It ranks among the safest in west-central Illinois.

Tornado risk exceeds other hazards

McDonough County's tornado risk of 52.00 is its highest exposure, though still moderately below state averages. Earthquake risk of 59.57 is the only other concern of note, while flooding and wildfire risks are minimal.

Standard insurance typically suffices

McDonough County's low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for most residents. Ensuring a designated safe room for tornado season and a basic preparedness plan addresses the county's primary natural hazard exposure.

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.