CountyScore

Menard County

Illinois · IL

#16 in Illinois
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Menard County, Illinois

Menard outpaces the nation

Menard County's composite score of 64.8 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. This score reflects a county where affordability and modest taxes create a solid foundation for residents seeking stability.

Above average in Illinois

Menard ranks above Illinois's statewide average composite score of 62.1, making it one of the stronger performers in the state. Its positioning suggests livability advantages over most peer counties in central Illinois.

Housing affordability stands out

Menard's cost score of 78.4 reveals deeply affordable housing, with a median home value of $179,300 and median rent of just $780 per month. The county also maintains a reasonable tax burden at 1.637% effective tax rate, supporting household budgets across income levels.

Income growth needs attention

The income score of 36.5 signals lower median household earnings at $81,334, which lags behind wealthier Illinois counties. Key livability dimensions—including safety, health, schools, and water quality—await data collection to paint a fuller picture.

Ideal for budget-conscious families

Menard County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher incomes and urban amenities. The county delivers genuine value for those seeking small-town stability without breaking the bank.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.2Cost78.4SafetyComing SoonHealth77.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.5Risk71.3WaterComing Soon
🏛56.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.3
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 Menard County with another county →

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Deep Dives

Menard County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Menard County

via TaxByCounty

Menard's tax rate beats the national average

At 1.637%, Menard County's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 1.831%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. On a home valued at the national median of $281,900, you'd pay about $4,606—compared to the national median tax of $2,690, Menard homeowners enjoy a significant advantage.

Menard ranks among Illinois's lowest-taxed counties

Menard's 1.637% effective rate falls below Illinois's state average of 1.831%, making it one of the more affordable counties in the state. With a median tax of $2,936, Menard tracks slightly above the state median of $2,782, reflecting its moderate home values around $179,300.

Menard homeowners pay less than nearby Morgan County

Menard's 1.637% rate undercuts Morgan County's 1.880% by more than two percentage points. On similar-priced homes, Menard residents typically save $400–$500 annually compared to their neighbors across the county line.

Median Menard home costs $2,936 in annual taxes

The typical $179,300 home in Menard County generates $2,936 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'd also owe an additional $391 annually in escrow and insurance charges, bringing the total to $3,327.

Many Menard homeowners could lower their bills

Across Illinois, thousands of homeowners discover they're overassessed—paying taxes on inflated property valuations. If you believe your home is worth less than the county assessor claims, filing a formal appeal could reduce your tax burden significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Menard County

via CostByCounty

Menard's housing costs rank well nationally

Menard County renters spend just 11.5% of their income on rent, beating the national average of roughly 15%. With a median household income of $81,334—8.7% above the U.S. median—residents here enjoy stronger affordability than most Americans.

Best rental affordability in Illinois

Menard County's 11.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Illinois's most affordable, well below the state average of 14.7%. At $780/month median rent compared to the state's $837, Menard renters consistently pay less while earning more.

Menard leads a competitive region

Menard's median rent of $780 undercuts neighboring Mercer County ($757) narrowly but offers significantly higher household income ($81,334 vs. $71,710). Monroe County, the region's wealthiest neighbor at $101,635 median income, commands premium rents of $996/month.

Rent doesn't strain Menard budgets

Menard households allocate 11.5% of income to rent and 15.5% to owner costs, leaving substantial breathing room for other expenses. That mortgage of $1,053/month on a median home valued at $179,300 remains highly manageable for the county's above-average earners.

Consider Menard for balance

If you're weighing Illinois locations, Menard offers the rare combination of solid income levels and restrained housing costs. Compare this county's efficiency to pricier neighbors—you may find the value proposition compelling.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Menard County

via IncomeByCounty

Menard outpaces national income average

Menard County's median household income of $81,334 sits nearly $6,600 above the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper income tier nationally. This 8.8% advantage reflects strong earning power compared to the typical American household.

Well above Illinois average

At $81,334, Menard County's median household income exceeds Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $12,754, ranking the county among Illinois's stronger-performing regions. Residents here earn roughly 18.6% more than their typical Illinois peers.

Menard leads its peer group

Menard's $81,334 median income outperforms neighboring Ogle County ($79,244) and significantly exceeds Morgan County ($65,175) and Montgomery County ($61,863). Among the eight-county cluster, only Monroe County ($101,635) earns more.

Housing costs remain manageable

The 11.5% rent-to-income ratio indicates strong housing affordability, well below the 30% threshold that signals cost burden. With a median home value of $179,300 and healthy median income, Menard households have solid breathing room in their budgets.

Build on Menard's income strength

With above-average income and favorable housing ratios, Menard residents are well-positioned to invest in retirement accounts, build emergency savings, and explore wealth-building opportunities. Consider consulting a financial advisor to maximize the county's income advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Menard County

via HealthByCounty

Menard residents live longer than average

At 78.3 years, Menard County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly two years. Just 16.2% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below the national rate of 17%, suggesting a generally healthy population.

Among Illinois' healthiest counties

Menard outpaces Illinois' state average life expectancy of 76.0 years, ranking the county in the upper tier statewide. With below-average rates of poor health, Menard consistently performs above most Illinois peers.

Stronger than surrounding counties

Menard's 78.3-year life expectancy beats neighboring Mercer County (77.3 years) and Morgan County (76.1 years). The county also maintains lower uninsured rates at 4.8% compared to the state average of 6.3%.

Strong doctor access, low uninsured rates

Only 4.8% of Menard residents lack health insurance, well below both state and national averages. With 33 primary care providers per 100,000 people and 50 mental health providers per 100,000, the county provides reasonable access to routine and behavioral care.

Keep coverage strong in Menard

With an already low uninsured rate, now is the time to review your plan and ensure it meets your needs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore options that work best for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Menard County

via RiskByCounty

Menard County's disaster risk well below average

With a composite risk score of 28.69, Menard County faces significantly lower natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This very low risk rating means residents can expect fewer severe weather events and geological hazards compared to most of the nation.

Among Illinois's safest counties

Menard County ranks among the lower-risk counties statewide, with a composite score nearly 50% below Illinois's average of 54.46. Only a handful of Illinois counties experience less overall disaster risk than Menard.

Safer than most central Illinois neighbors

Menard County's risk profile compares favorably to nearby Mercer County (8.78) and substantially outperforms Montgomery County (65.39) and Morgan County (71.12). Residents here enjoy more protection from natural hazards than those in surrounding central Illinois communities.

Earthquakes and tornadoes pose highest threats

Earthquake risk (68.03) and tornado risk (53.18) represent Menard County's primary natural hazard concerns, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk is moderate at 29.36, while wildfire risk is minimal at 3.59.

Smart coverage for real risks

While Menard County faces lower overall disaster risk, homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance and a comprehensive homeowners policy that covers tornado damage. Standard policies often exclude earthquake coverage, making a separate policy worth exploring for 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.