CountyScore

Monroe County

Illinois · IL

#37 in Illinois
66.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Illinois

Monroe exceeds national expectations

Monroe County scores 61.3 on the livability index—22 points higher than the national median of 50.0. This strong national standing indicates above-average conditions across the measured dimensions of livability.

Slightly below state average

Monroe's score of 61.3 trails Illinois's average of 62.1 by less than one point, keeping it in the solid middle range of state counties. It performs nearly at parity with its peer group across Illinois.

Highest income levels in the cohort

Monroe shines with an income score of 49.7 and a median household income of $101,635—the strongest earnings profile among these eight counties. The moderate tax burden of 1.703% allows residents to retain more of these higher incomes.

Premium pricing for housing

Monroe's cost score of 69.3 reflects the county's higher expenses, with a median home value of $265,600 and rent averaging $996 monthly—substantially above the regional norm. This pricing challenges middle-income families despite the county's strong income levels.

For families with solid incomes

Monroe County fits established families and professionals earning above-average incomes who can absorb higher housing costs. It's the most affluent option in this group, balancing prosperity with suburban-style living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax54.4Cost69.3SafetyComing SoonHealth83.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.7Risk58.2WaterComing Soon
🏛54.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼49.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡58.2
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 Monroe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Georgia
66.5
Median income: $49,559
White County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $53,097
Cass County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $61,657
Crawford County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $65,039
Marion County
Kansas
66.5
Median income: $63,438

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe County taxes run significantly higher nationally

Monroe County's 1.703% effective tax rate exceeds the national median, and its median tax of $4,523 is 68% higher than the national median of $2,690. On a $281,900 home—the national median—Monroe's rate would yield nearly $4,805 in annual taxes.

Monroe sits above Illinois's state average

Monroe County's 1.703% effective rate outpaces Illinois's 1.831% state average, though its median home value of $265,600 is notably higher than most counties statewide. The resulting median tax of $4,523 reflects the county's premium property values.

Monroe homeowners pay the highest taxes in the region

Monroe's $4,523 median tax dwarfs nearby counties like Menard ($2,936) and Montgomery ($1,758). On identical $200,000 homes, Monroe residents pay roughly $1,400–$1,700 more annually than their neighbors.

Monroe's median home tax reaches $4,523 annually

With a median home value of $265,600 and a 1.703% tax rate, Monroe County homeowners face a $4,523 annual bill—among the highest in the state. Adding mortgage-related charges pushes the total to $4,777.

High-value homeowners should verify their assessments

Monroe County's elevated tax bills make assessment accuracy especially critical for property owners. Requesting a reassessment or filing a formal appeal can reveal overvaluation and unlock significant savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe: wealth and housing costs aligned

Monroe County's median household income of $101,635 ranks 35.8% above the national median, while its 11.8% rent-to-income ratio outperforms the national norm of roughly 15%. This prosperous county sustains higher absolute housing costs while maintaining strong affordability ratios.

Monroe stands richest and most balanced

Monroe County's $101,635 median income is the highest among Illinois counties in this comparison, and its 11.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best despite median rents of $996. Wealth and affordability intersect favorably here.

Monroe commands region's highest costs

Monroe's median rent of $996 and median home value of $265,600 exceed all regional neighbors—Menard ($780 rent, $179,300 homes) and Mercer ($757 rent, $139,300 homes) significantly. Higher incomes justify Monroe's premium pricing.

Premium housing on premium incomes

Monroe households spend 11.8% of income on rent and 16.3% on owner costs, allocating roughly one-third of earnings to total housing—sustainable for the county's above-average earners. A $1,383/month mortgage on a $265,600 home reflects the county's upscale market.

Monroe for upwardly mobile families

Consider Monroe if your household income matches or exceeds the county's $101,635 median—you'll access the region's best schools and amenities without housing cost stress. Compare Monroe's premium to Mercer or Menard to weigh value against location appeal.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe far exceeds national benchmarks

Monroe County's median household income of $101,635 towers 35.9% above the national median of $74,755, placing it among America's highest-income counties. This $26,880 advantage reflects exceptionally strong earning power.

Illinois's top income county

Monroe County's $101,635 median household income dramatically outpaces Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $33,055, or 48.1%. The county ranks as one of Illinois's wealthiest regions by household income.

Monroe leads all regional counties

Monroe's $101,635 income far surpasses all peers: Menard County ($81,334), Ogle County ($79,244), Mercer County ($71,710), and Moultrie County ($71,676). No neighboring county comes within $20,000 of Monroe's median.

Exceptional affordability despite high home values

Monroe's 11.8% rent-to-income ratio remains favorable despite median home values of $265,600, the highest among the eight counties. Strong incomes easily support homeownership costs, leaving households substantial discretionary income.

Monroe's wealth demands strategic planning

Monroe County households earn well above regional and national averages, creating substantial capacity for investment, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and wealth diversification. Work with a financial advisor to optimize tax strategies and long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Monroe County

via HealthByCounty

Monroe leads in Illinois longevity

Monroe County's life expectancy of 79.6 years ranks among the highest in Illinois and significantly exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Just 12.3% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate in this county set.

Healthiest county in Illinois group

Monroe outperforms Illinois' state average of 76.0 years by 3.6 years, placing it in the top tier statewide. The county's strong health metrics reflect above-average healthcare quality and population wellness.

Clear leader among regional peers

Monroe's 79.6-year life expectancy significantly exceeds Menard County (78.3 years) and all other neighboring counties in this analysis. With an uninsured rate of just 3.8%, Monroe provides the broadest coverage in the region.

Excellent access to all care types

Monroe offers 40 primary care providers and an exceptional 163 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—more than three times the mental health capacity of neighboring counties. Combined with a 3.8% uninsured rate, the county delivers comprehensive coverage and provider availability.

Maintain Monroe's coverage advantage

Your county is doing exceptionally well, but staying informed about your coverage options keeps you protected. Review your plan yearly at healthcare.gov to ensure it continues meeting your family's health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe County's risk sits below national average

Monroe County's composite risk score of 41.86 places it meaningfully below the national average, though not as low as some Illinois peers. The very low risk rating reflects relatively limited exposure to major natural disasters.

Middle ground among Illinois counties

Monroe County's composite score of 41.86 falls noticeably below Illinois's 54.46 state average, putting it in the safer half statewide. Several Illinois counties face higher risk, though some neighbors rank lower.

Moderate risk compared to nearby areas

Monroe County (41.86) sits between safer Mercer County (8.78) and riskier Montgomery County (65.39) and Morgan County (71.12). Its risk profile places it closer to the safer end of the southwestern Illinois spectrum.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate the picture

Earthquake risk (84.54) and tornado risk (58.33) are Monroe County's primary concerns, with earthquake risk notably elevated compared to state averages. Flood risk reaches 32.28, while wildfire and hurricane risks remain low.

Earthquake insurance becomes important here

Monroe County residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance plus a separate earthquake policy, given the elevated seismic risk. A strong policy covering tornado, wind, and hail damage is equally essential 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.