CountyScore

Perry County

Illinois · IL

#56 in Illinois
63.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Perry County, Illinois

Perry County Outpaces National Average

Perry County's composite score of 66.2 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This above-average ranking reflects a county that delivers better livability than most American communities overall.

Slightly Above Illinois Average

Perry County ranks slightly above Illinois's state average of 62.1 with its score of 66.2, suggesting solid livability compared to peers across the state. The county holds its own in a competitive Illinois landscape.

Cost Advantage Drives Perry's Appeal

Perry County excels in affordability with a cost score of 85.2, offering median home values of just $105,200 and rental options at $714 per month. The county balances modest tax burden (1.658% effective rate) with genuinely accessible housing for working families.

Income Growth Lags Behind Housing Value

Perry's income score of 22.1 reveals a challenge: median household income of $59,286 trails state expectations. We're currently gathering data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality to complete the livability picture.

Best for Budget-Conscious Families

Perry County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. If you want to stretch your paycheck and own a home on a modest budget, Perry delivers measurable value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.6Cost85.2SafetyComing SoonHealth68.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.1Risk27.9WaterComing Soon
🏛55.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡27.9
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 Perry County with another county →

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Pratt County
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Deep Dives

Perry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Perry County

via TaxByCounty

Perry County taxes: Below national average

At 1.66%, Perry County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 2.10%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax here is $1,744 annually—35% less than the national median of $2,690—reflecting both lower home values and a relatively modest tax rate.

Perry ranks mid-range among Illinois counties

Perry County's 1.66% effective rate falls slightly below Illinois' state average of 1.83%, positioning it in the moderate tier statewide. Its median property tax of $1,744 is 37% lower than the state average of $2,782, reflecting the county's lower median home values.

Neighbors show varied tax burdens

Perry County's 1.66% rate sits between Pike County (1.56%, the lowest in the region) and Piatt County (1.76%, among the highest). Among immediate peers, Perry's tax burden is moderate—lower than Putnam County (1.59%) but higher than Pope County's notably low 1.02%.

What a Perry County homeowner pays

On the median home value of $105,200, the effective tax rate of 1.66% translates to approximately $1,744 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, you might pay $1,897; without one, about $1,611—modest compared to national norms.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Illinois homeowners are overassessed relative to market values, meaning they pay taxes on homes worth more than their actual sale price. If your home's assessed value seems too high, filing a property tax appeal could reduce your annual bill substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Perry County

via CostByCounty

Perry County rents rival the national norm

Perry County renters spend 14.4% of their income on housing, slightly below the state average of 14.7% but tracking close to national affordability patterns. With a median household income of $59,286—about 21% below the national median of $74,755—residents here earn less but pay proportionally similar housing costs.

Middle of the pack in Illinois

Perry County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio places it in the middle tier of Illinois counties for housing affordability. The county's median rent of $714 falls $123 below the state average, offering modest relief for renters in a state where housing costs vary widely.

Cheaper than Pike, pricier than Pope

Perry County's $714 median rent sits between nearby Pike County ($659) and Richland County ($754), making it a reasonable option in southern Illinois. Perry homeowners face $692 monthly costs, similar to Pike County's $765 but less than Piatt County's $1,098.

Renters and owners share the load

Perry County renters pay $714 monthly while homeowners pay $692, making ownership slightly cheaper for those who can afford the down payment on the $105,200 median home. Together, housing consumes roughly 14% of household income—the sweet spot for affordability where people can still cover other essentials.

Consider Perry if you value balance

Perry County offers stable housing costs below state averages without requiring the higher incomes of northern Illinois. If you're relocating to southern Illinois, compare Perry's $714 rents to neighboring counties to find your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Perry County

via IncomeByCounty

Perry County earns below the national median

Perry County's median household income of $59,286 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 21%, putting the county in the lower-income tier nationally. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural southern Illinois compared to wealthier metro areas.

Below average for Illinois

Perry County ranks below the Illinois state median of $68,580, earning about $9,294 less per household. The county's per capita income of $29,720 also lags the state average of $36,009 by roughly 18%.

Perry competes with rural peers

Perry County's $59,286 median places it squarely in the middle of the region—ahead of Pike ($58,029) and Pulaski ($43,227) but behind Putnam ($77,526) and Piatt ($87,516). Among eight surveyed counties, Perry ranks fifth overall in household income.

Housing affordability remains stable

With a 14.4% rent-to-income ratio, Perry County stays just under the recommended 15% threshold, suggesting renters spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing. The median home value of $105,200 remains accessible relative to local incomes.

Building financial security starts now

Perry County households earning $59,286 can strengthen their financial future through consistent saving and investment in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Even modest monthly contributions compound over time—a key step toward closing wealth gaps and ensuring long-term stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Perry County

via HealthByCounty

Perry County trails U.S. life expectancy

At 75.4 years, Perry County residents live nearly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 81.1 years. Nearly 23% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, signaling more chronic illness and health challenges in this community.

Below Illinois average on life expectancy

Perry County's 75.4-year life expectancy ranks below Illinois's 76.0-year state average, placing it among the lower-performing counties. The 22.9% poor/fair health rate also exceeds the state median, indicating Perry County faces steeper health headwinds than most Illinois counties.

Worse health than surrounding counties

Perry County's 75.4-year life expectancy lags neighboring Piatt County (78.4 years) and Pope County (75.7 years). With a 22.9% poor/fair health rate, Perry residents report worse subjective health than nearly all comparable counties in the region.

Modest coverage gap, adequate primary care

Perry County's 6.2% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 6.3%, meaning most residents have coverage. The county offers 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, though mental health support lags at 249 per 100,000.

Check your health insurance today

With nearly 6 out of 100 Perry County residents uninsured, enrollment in marketplace plans or Medicaid can unlock preventive care and manage chronic illness. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore coverage options that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Perry County

via RiskByCounty

Perry County's risk exceeds national average

Perry County scores 72.07 on the composite disaster risk scale, putting it well above the typical U.S. county and about 32% higher than Illinois's average of 54.46. This "Relatively Low" rating means Perry faces moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the nation's hotspots, but shouldn't be dismissed by residents planning for emergencies.

Perry ranks in Illinois's higher-risk group

Among Illinois's 102 counties, Perry County lands in the upper tier for disaster risk, driven primarily by seismic activity. While not the riskiest county in the state, Perry's 72.07 score places it ahead of roughly 70% of its peers, making it a meaningful consideration for property owners.

Perry's risks stand out in regional context

Perry County's 72.07 score significantly exceeds nearby Randolph County (78.63) and Richland County (46.66), making it one of the more hazard-exposed communities in southern Illinois. Unlike its western neighbors Pike and Pulaski counties, which score in the low-risk range, Perry faces heightened earthquake and tornado exposure that warrant specific preparedness steps.

Earthquake and tornado threats dominate

Perry County's earthquake risk scores 94.34—among the highest in Illinois—while tornado risk sits at a substantial 60.62, reflecting the county's position in both a seismically active region and Tornado Alley's fringe. Flooding poses moderate concern at 49.81, making these three hazards the primary focus for household and business emergency planning.

Secure earthquake and tornado coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake or tornado damage; Perry County residents should review standalone earthquake policies and ensure wind/hail coverage is adequate. With 94% of countywide risk tied to seismic activity and 60% to tornadoes, these specialized policies are essential to protect your home's structure and contents.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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