CountyScore

Morgan County

Illinois · IL

#65 in Illinois
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Morgan County, Illinois

Morgan exceeds national baseline

Morgan County scores 62.8, besting the national median of 50.0 by 13 points and landing solidly in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. This suggests generally livable conditions across the county's measured dimensions.

Slightly above Illinois average

Morgan's score of 62.8 edges past Illinois's statewide average of 62.1, positioning it among the better-performing counties in the state. It represents a dependable mid-tier choice for Illinois residents.

Excellent housing affordability

Morgan's cost score of 82.1 reflects genuinely affordable housing with median home values of $128,700 and monthly rent at just $710. This affordability ranks among the best in the state and stretches household budgets further.

Lower earnings and higher taxes

The income score of 25.9 and median household income of $65,175 rank among the lowest in this group, while the tax score of 49.4 signals a relatively higher effective tax rate of 1.880%. These factors together tighten household finances despite affordable housing.

For those valuing economy and space

Morgan County suits modest-income households, retirees, and families seeking maximum housing value in a rural setting. It trades higher earnings potential for genuine affordability and slower-paced living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax49.4Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth72.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk28.9WaterComing Soon
🏛49.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.9
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 Morgan 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
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Scott County
Iowa
62.5
Median income: $76,363

Deep Dives

Morgan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morgan County

via TaxByCounty

Morgan County taxes slightly exceed the national average

Morgan County's effective tax rate of 1.880% exceeds the national median of 1.831% by half a percentage point. On a nationally typical home valued at $281,900, this rate would generate $5,302 in annual taxes—nearly double the national median tax.

Morgan ranks above Illinois's state average

Morgan County's 1.880% effective rate tops Illinois's state average of 1.831%, placing it in the higher-tax portion of the state. Despite modest median home values of $128,700, Morgan's median tax of $2,420 reflects its above-average rate.

Morgan's rate exceeds Menard but trails Peoria County

Morgan County's 1.880% rate sits between Menard's 1.637% and Peoria's 2.239%. On a $150,000 home, Morgan residents pay roughly $250 more annually than Menard homeowners but $540 less than Peoria County residents.

Morgan homeowners pay $2,420 in median annual taxes

The typical $128,700 home in Morgan County generates $2,420 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related escrow and insurance, the total liability reaches $2,613 per year.

Appeal if your assessment exceeds market value

Morgan County residents paying above-market rates should request a reassessment or file a formal appeal. Many homeowners discover their properties are overvalued, leading to meaningful tax reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morgan County

via CostByCounty

Morgan rents run lean on lower incomes

Morgan County's median household income of $65,175 sits 12.9% below the national median, while its 13.1% rent-to-income ratio runs just below the national benchmark of roughly 15%. Residents here manage tight housing-to-income balances.

Morgan tracks close to Illinois average

Morgan County's 13.1% rent-to-income ratio edges below Illinois's 14.7% state average, with median rents of $710/month significantly undercutting the state's $837. This modest advantage helps offset the county's below-average household incomes.

Morgan keeps costs lean like peers

Morgan's $710 median rent ranks among the region's cheapest, comparable to Montgomery County ($715) and Mercer County ($757). The median home value of $128,700 similarly positions Morgan as an affordable option for buyers on limited budgets.

Housing claims one-third of income

Morgan residents allocate 13.1% to rent and 16.5% to owner costs, totaling nearly one-third of household income for housing. An $897/month mortgage on a $128,700 home stretches county earners, requiring disciplined household budgeting.

Morgan suits value-first relocators

Morgan County attracts households prioritizing lowest possible housing costs over income growth prospects. Compare Morgan's tight affordability margin to wealthier counties to assess whether the savings justify lifestyle trade-offs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morgan County

via IncomeByCounty

Morgan lags national income averages

Morgan County's median household income of $65,175 falls $9,580 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 12.8% disadvantage. The county earns notably less than the typical American household.

Below Illinois average but stable

Morgan County's $65,175 median income trails Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $3,405, or 5.0%. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Illinois counties.

Morgan outpaces only Montgomery

Morgan's $65,175 exceeds only Montgomery County ($61,863) but falls well behind Mercer ($71,710), Moultrie ($71,676), Ogle ($79,244), Menard ($81,334), and Monroe ($101,635). Peer comparison shows limited economic momentum.

Moderate housing cost pressure

Morgan's 13.1% rent-to-income ratio suggests reasonable housing affordability, though the lower income base limits flexibility. Median home values of $128,700 remain modest, supporting relatively accessible homeownership.

Morgan residents must prioritize basics

Below-average incomes require Morgan households to focus first on steady employment and skill development. Start small with savings goals, leverage any employer benefits, and explore community financial literacy resources to build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Morgan County

via HealthByCounty

Morgan life expectancy nearly matches nation

Morgan County's life expectancy of 76.1 years is nearly identical to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it solidly in the middle. About 18.4% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate.

Just above Illinois state average

At 76.1 years, Morgan edges slightly above Illinois' state average of 76.0 years. However, the county's poor/fair health rate of 18.4% suggests underlying health challenges despite modest life expectancy.

Middling performance among peers

Morgan's 76.1-year life expectancy ranks below Menard (78.3) and Monroe (79.6), but ahead of Montgomery (74.1). The county occupies the middle ground regionally on coverage and provider access.

Adequate providers, modest uninsured rates

Morgan's uninsured rate of 6.0% is close to the state average of 6.3%, suggesting reasonable coverage access. The county offers 46 primary care providers and a strong 131 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, supporting both routine and behavioral health needs.

Lock in your health insurance now

With adequate but not exceptional care access, having solid coverage is essential in Morgan County. Visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and ensure your family is protected year-round.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morgan County

via RiskByCounty

Morgan County's disaster risk above national norm

Morgan County's composite risk score of 71.12 exceeds the national average, reflecting above-typical exposure to natural hazards. The relatively low risk rating indicates moderate concern, though residents face more disaster threats than most U.S. counties.

Among Illinois's highest-risk counties

Morgan County's composite score of 71.12 substantially exceeds Illinois's 54.46 average, placing it firmly in the higher-risk tier statewide. Only a handful of Illinois counties face comparable or greater natural disaster exposure.

Riskiest in central Illinois cluster

Morgan County (71.12) carries higher risk than Montgomery County (65.39), Ogle County (71.09), and significantly outpaces Monroe County (41.86) and Mercer County (8.78). Residents face the most hazard exposure among nearby counties.

Earthquakes and floods top the threat list

Earthquake risk (81.68) and flood risk (61.23) represent Morgan County's primary hazards, both well above state averages. Tornado risk (49.59) adds to the concern, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 1.84.

Comprehensive protection is crucial

Morgan County homeowners must prioritize earthquake insurance and flood insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage. Given the elevated earthquake and flood risks, reviewing and updating policies annually is essential.

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.