CountyScore

Mercer County

Illinois · IL

#23 in Illinois
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Mercer County, Illinois

Mercer meets the national standard

Mercer County scores 61.9 on the livability composite—more than 20 points above the national median of 50.0. This places Mercer in the upper half of American counties, suggesting solid conditions for daily living.

Right at Illinois's average

Mercer's score of 61.9 essentially matches Illinois's statewide average of 62.1, positioning it squarely in the middle tier of the state's county rankings. It represents a typical Illinois experience rather than a standout performer.

Extremely affordable housing market

The county excels in affordability with a cost score of 80.5—one of the highest in the state—reflecting median home values of $139,300 and monthly rents of just $757. These figures make Mercer particularly attractive to first-time homebuyers and renters on tight budgets.

Lower incomes and higher tax burden

Mercer's income score of 30.2 reveals median household earnings of only $71,710, trailing state averages and limiting disposable income. The tax score of 47.6 also suggests a higher effective tax rate of 1.945%, further constraining household finances.

Best for cost-conscious newcomers

Mercer County appeals to those prioritizing low housing costs and willingness to trade income opportunities for rural affordability. It's an honest choice for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking a slow pace over economic dynamism.

Score breakdown

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

Tax47.6Cost80.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk91.3WaterComing Soon
🏛47.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.3
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 Mercer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

White County
Arkansas
67.8
Median income: $53,435
Jeff Davis County
Georgia
67.8
Median income: $40,879
Kalawao County
Hawaii
67.8
Median income: $86,250
Chautauqua County
Kansas
67.8
Median income: $54,592
Shelby County
Kentucky
67.8
Median income: $82,671

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer County taxes exceed the national average

Mercer County's effective tax rate of 1.945% tops the national median of 1.831%, placing it above the 50th percentile nationwide. On a home valued at $281,900, this rate would generate roughly $5,473 in annual taxes—significantly higher than the national median of $2,690.

Mercer ranks in the upper half statewide

At 1.945%, Mercer County's effective rate exceeds Illinois's state average of 1.831%. Despite median home values of just $139,300, Mercer's median tax bill of $2,710 still tracks above the state median of $2,782 relative to its modest home prices.

Mercer's rate tops nearby Menard and Montgomery counties

Mercer's 1.945% effective rate significantly outpaces Menard County's 1.637% and Montgomery County's 1.720%. A homeowner with a $150,000 property in Mercer pays roughly $300 more annually than an identical home in Menard.

Typical Mercer home costs $2,710 per year in taxes

The median $139,300 home in Mercer County carries a $2,710 annual property tax. With mortgage-related charges, the total climbs to $2,995, making property taxes a meaningful expense for homeowners.

Appeal your assessment if values seem inflated

Mercer County residents paying above-market rates should request a professional assessment review. Many overassessed homeowners successfully lower their tax burden through formal appeals to the county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mercer County

via CostByCounty

Mercer rents beat national averages

Mercer County renters spend 12.7% of income on rent, comfortably below the national benchmark of roughly 15%. Though household income ($71,710) trails the U.S. median by $3,045, the county's low rents help offset that gap.

Mercer ranks among state's most affordable

At 12.7% rent-to-income, Mercer outperforms Illinois's 14.7% state average, with median rents of $757 standing below the state's $837 benchmark. This affordability advantage makes Mercer a standout for budget-conscious renters statewide.

Mercer offers lowest rents in the region

Mercer's $757 median rent edges out Menard County ($780) as this region's cheapest option, though Mercer households earn noticeably less ($71,710 vs. $81,334). For renters prioritizing lowest absolute housing costs over income security, Mercer delivers.

Housing takes modest bite here

Mercer residents dedicate 12.7% of income to rent and 15.8% to owner costs—both reasonable allocations. A median home value of $139,300 with $947/month mortgages keeps homeownership within reach for typical county households.

Mercer delivers affordable renting

If minimizing rent expense ranks first on your list, Mercer County offers Illinois's lowest-cost rentals without sacrificing basic income stability. Explore how far your rent dollar stretches here compared to higher-cost counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer slightly trails national median

Mercer County's median household income of $71,710 falls about $3,045 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it near the national average. The county sits just 4.1% below the U.S. benchmark.

Above state average but modest gains

Mercer County earns $71,710 against Illinois's state average of $68,580, a $3,130 advantage representing 4.6% higher income. The county ranks in the middle tier among Illinois counties.

Mid-range among regional peers

Mercer's $71,710 sits between Moultrie County ($71,676) and Ogle County ($79,244), but trails Monroe County ($101,635) significantly. The county earns modestly more than Morgan County ($65,175) and considerably more than Montgomery County ($61,863).

Tight but manageable housing costs

At 12.7%, Mercer's rent-to-income ratio approaches the 30% affordability threshold, indicating moderate housing cost burden. Median home values of $139,300 remain accessible, though residents should budget carefully.

Strategic savings build Mercer prosperity

With income tracking national averages, Mercer households benefit from disciplined budgeting and consistent retirement contributions. Focus on reducing debt and establishing an emergency fund to strengthen long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mercer County

via HealthByCounty

Mercer life expectancy near national average

Mercer County residents have a life expectancy of 77.3 years, close to the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 16.6% report poor or fair health, in line with national patterns.

Slightly above Illinois average

At 77.3 years, Mercer's life expectancy edges above Illinois' state average of 76.0 years, though the county faces greater health challenges than its state median.

Trailing nearby high-performers

Mercer's 77.3-year life expectancy falls short of neighboring Menard County (78.3 years) and Monroe County (79.6 years). The gap suggests structural differences in healthcare access or population health factors across the region.

Fewer doctors, higher uninsured rates

With only 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Mercer has the lowest primary care density among its neighbors. At 5.7% uninsured, the county still lags the state average of 6.3%, though access barriers remain a concern.

Ensure your family has coverage

With limited primary care providers locally, having solid insurance coverage is essential for accessing care. Check your options on healthcare.gov to confirm you're getting the coverage your family deserves.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mercer County

via RiskByCounty

Mercer County ranks among nation's safest

Mercer County's composite risk score of 8.78 places it well below the national average, earning a very low risk rating. This county experiences substantially less exposure to major natural disasters than most U.S. counties.

Illinois's lowest-risk county

With a composite score less than one-sixth of Illinois's 54.46 average, Mercer County is the safest county in the state by this measure. No Illinois county ranks notably lower for overall natural disaster risk.

Significantly safer than surrounding counties

Mercer County's risk score of 8.78 is dramatically lower than neighboring Menard County (28.69), Monroe County (41.86), and Morgan County (71.12). Residents here enjoy exceptional protection from natural hazards compared to the broader central Illinois region.

Earthquakes the primary concern

Earthquake risk (24.68) and tornado risk (22.52) represent Mercer County's top hazards, both well below state levels. Flood (9.16), wildfire (1.08), and hurricane (11.31) risks are all minimal in this county.

Focus on standard homeowner protection

A solid homeowners insurance policy covering tornado and wind damage provides adequate protection for Mercer County residents. While earthquake risk remains low, adding earthquake coverage offers inexpensive peace of mind in this exceptionally safe 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.