countyscore
38.5
County Score
Income & Jobs 84Schools 83.3Soil Quality 80.1

County Report Card

About Ogle County, Illinois

Struggling Against National Averages

Ogle County's composite score of 38.7 is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. Improving safety and tax metrics would be key to rising in the rankings.

Falling Short of State Benchmarks

At 38.7, Ogle County is well below the Illinois average of 52.8. It faces unique challenges that distinguish it from the more livable parts of the state.

Quality Schools and Strong Incomes

Education is a major highlight with a school score of 83.3. The county also maintains high incomes, scoring 82.9 with a median household income of $79,244.

Severe Safety and Tax Issues

The safety score is critically low at 0.4, and the tax score is just 3.0 due to a 2.030% tax rate. These factors heavily weigh down the county's overall livability profile.

Best for High-Earning Home Schoolers

Ogle County appeals to people who prioritize local school quality and higher salaries. It requires a resident who is comfortable navigating a difficult safety and tax landscape.

204060801002.232.60.468.883.38428.960.851.8Tax2.2Cost32.6Safety0.4Health68.8Schools83.3Income84Risk28.9Water60.8Weather51.838.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Ogle County DNA

Foverall

How Ogle County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Ogle County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (84/100) but notably weak in Safety (0.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
2.2-49.8
Cost
32.6-15.399999999999999
Safety
0.4-54.6
Health
68.8+18.799999999999997
Schools
83.3+29.299999999999997
Income
84+33
Risk
28.9-18.1
Water
60.8
Weather
51.8
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Think property taxes are too high in Ogle County?

Many homeowners in Ogle County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$189,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$936/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$189,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $82,132/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

31.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Lee County
Illinois
51.6
Winnebago County
Illinois
42.5
Stephenson County
Illinois
45.3
DeKalb County
Illinois
37.2
Boone County
Illinois
43.3
Carroll County
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60.2
Whiteside County
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45.8
Rock County
Wisconsin
39.1

Deep Dives

Ogle County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Ogle County

via TaxByCounty

Ogle County taxes run well above the national average

Ogle County's effective tax rate of 2.030% substantially exceeds the national median of 1.831%, ranking it in the top quartile nationwide for property tax burden. On a nationally typical home valued at $281,900, this rate would generate $5,724 in annual taxes.

Ogle ranks among Illinois's highest-tax counties

Ogle County's 2.030% effective rate significantly exceeds Illinois's state average of 1.831%, placing it among the pricier counties statewide. With a median tax of $3,737 on homes valued at $184,100, Ogle residents face a notably heavy tax burden.

Ogle taxes run highest in the surrounding region

Ogle's 2.030% rate towers over nearby Menard (1.637%) and Montgomery (1.720%), making it one of the region's most expensive counties. A homeowner with a $180,000 property in Ogle pays roughly $700 more annually than the same home would cost in Menard.

Ogle homeowners pay $3,737 in median annual taxes

The median $184,100 home in Ogle County generates $3,737 in annual property taxes. Adding mortgage-related costs, the full annual burden reaches $3,885.

High-tax county residents should verify assessments carefully

Ogle County's elevated rates make assessment accuracy crucial—overvaluation by even 10% costs hundreds annually. Filing a reassessment request or appeal is worthwhile for any homeowner uncertain about their property's fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ogle County

via IncomeByCounty

Ogle exceeds national income levels

Ogle County's median household income of $79,244 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $4,489, representing a 6.0% advantage. The county's earning power exceeds typical American households.

Well above Illinois state average

At $79,244, Ogle County outearns Illinois's state average of $68,580 by $10,664, or 15.5%. The county ranks among Illinois's stronger income performers.

Ogle ranks second regionally

Ogle's $79,244 trails only Monroe County's $101,635 and exceeds Menard County ($81,334)—actually ranking third, just behind Menard. The county significantly outpaces Mercer, Moultrie, Morgan, and Montgomery counties.

Tight housing ratio warrants attention

Ogle's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest in the cluster, indicating moderate cost burden despite above-average income. Median home values of $184,100 consume a notable share of household budgets.

Ogle's above-average income fuels investing

With income exceeding both state and national averages, Ogle households should focus on systematic retirement savings and diversified investments. Even modest monthly contributions to tax-advantaged accounts compound meaningfully over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ogle County

via CrimeByCounty

Ogle County faces significant safety challenges

Ogle County reports a total crime rate of 11,760.7 per 100,000 residents, which is nearly five times the national average. This high frequency results in a safety score of 81.4 out of 100.

Far below the Illinois safety average

The county's crime rate of 11,760.7 per 100,000 is dramatically higher than the Illinois state average of 835.0. Consequently, Ogle County sits well below the state average safety score of 98.7.

A regional outlier in crime rates

Ogle County has the highest crime rate among its regional peers, including Peoria and Montgomery. These statistics suggest localized issues that are not present in neighboring Illinois counties.

High levels of violent and property crime

Violent crime is extremely high at 4,098.9 per 100,000, while property crime reaches 7,661.8. These numbers represent significant risks to both personal safety and personal property within the county.

Prioritize your home security

Given the elevated property crime rates, residents should invest in robust security systems and reinforced entry points. Frequent communication with local law enforcement is essential for staying informed about neighborhood risks.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ogle County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Than the National Median

Ogle County’s 48.6°F annual average makes it significantly cooler than the national median temperature. It experiences a shorter growing season with 38.4 inches of annual precipitation.

Among the State's Cooler Counties

At 48.6°F, Ogle is 4.2 degrees cooler than the Illinois state average of 52.8°F. This reflects the harsher winters and cooler summers typical of northern Illinois.

Milder Heat Than Central Illinois

The county experiences only 14 extreme heat days, far fewer than the 23 seen in Peoria County. This makes Ogle a refuge for those seeking to avoid intense summer humidity.

Cold Winters and Pleasant Summers

January is cold with an average of 20.9°F, while summer highs stay moderate with a July average of 72.4°F. The county only reaches 90°F about 14 days per year.

Winterize for Significant Cold

Superior home insulation and heavy winter gear are vital for the 24.1°F winter average. Air conditioning is less of a priority here than in the southern parts of the state.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ogle County

via SoilByCounty

Superior Soil Quality in Ogle

Ogle County boasts an average soil pH of 6.39, matching the Illinois state average. The county’s impressive soil score of 80.1 is one of the highest in the region, indicating superior agricultural potential and health.

Balanced Texture and Easy Workability

The soil is 56.4% silt and 19.5% clay, with a relatively high sand content of 22.9%. This combination offers a great balance of workability and drainage, making it less prone to heavy compaction than other Illinois soils.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

This county excels in fertility with 3.67% organic matter, far exceeding both the state average and the national average. The available water capacity of 0.205 in/in ensures that these nutrient-rich soils also manage moisture effectively for plants.

Healthy Soil Structure

Information on the dominant drainage class and hydrologic group is not included in the current dataset. However, the higher sand percentage and exceptional organic matter typically suggest healthy natural drainage and resilient soil structure.

High-Yield Potential in Zone 5b

In USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, Ogle County is perfect for cold-hardy crops and high-yield vegetable production. With such high organic matter, your soil is already ahead of the game, so start your gardening journey with confidence.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ogle County

via LawnByCounty

Ogle County's Northern Challenge

With a lawn difficulty score of 68.2, Ogle County is slightly more challenging than the Illinois average of 69.8. This Zone 5b region requires specific attention to its shorter growing season and colder winter temperatures.

Cool Summers, Short Seasons

Residents enjoy only 14 extreme heat days, nearly half the state average, which protects cool-season grasses from wilting. However, with only 2,950 growing degree days, the grass grows more slowly and takes longer to recover from damage.

Sandy Soil Promotes Drainage

The soil features a relatively high sand content of 22.9% and a pH of 6.39. This combination ensures excellent drainage but may require more frequent fertilization, as nutrients can wash through sandy soil more quickly.

Exceptional Drought Duration

Ogle County has endured a staggering 44 weeks of drought in the past year. While it currently avoids 'severe' D2+ classification, the 100% abnormally dry rating means you must monitor soil moisture closely given the sandy composition.

Beat the Early Frost

The growing season is tight, starting April 29 and ending early on October 13. Focus on cold-hardy Kentucky bluegrass, and ensure any fall seeding is completed by early September so it can mature before the freeze.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ogle County's county score?
Ogle County, Illinois has a composite county score of 38.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Ogle County rank among counties in Illinois?
Ogle County ranks #92 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Ogle County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Ogle County is $3,889, with an effective tax rate of 2.06%. This earns Ogle County a tax score of 2.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ogle County?
The median household income in Ogle County, Illinois is $82,132 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ogle County earns an income score of 84/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ogle County, Illinois a good place to live?
Ogle County scores 38.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #92 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Ogle County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Ogle County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.