CountyScore

Piatt County

Illinois · IL

#36 in Illinois
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Piatt County, Illinois

Piatt Exceeds National Livability Baseline

Piatt County's composite score of 62.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 24%, signaling above-average livability across measured dimensions. The county ranks in the better half of American counties despite a rural character.

Piatt Matches Illinois State Average

With a score of 62.2, Piatt County sits virtually tied with Illinois's state average of 62.1, making it a representative Illinois county. The county neither leads nor lags statewide livability trends.

Income and Affordability Balance Out

Piatt County stands out with a median household income of $87,516—substantially above both the county and state profile—paired with a cost score of 74.5. Median home values of $173,200 and rents at $950 remain accessible for this income level, creating stability for middle-class households.

Tax Rate Creeps Higher Than Peers

Piatt's effective tax rate of 1.755% ranks among the highest in this county group, and its income score of 40.5 suggests room for wage growth. We're still assembling data on schools, health, safety, and environmental factors.

Ideal for Middle-Class Stability Seekers

Piatt County appeals to professionals and families earning solid middle-class incomes who value stability and reasonable housing costs. The county offers a predictable, balanced lifestyle for those who can sustain its tax obligations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax52.9Cost74.5SafetyComing SoonHealth79.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome40.5Risk65.1WaterComing Soon
🏛52.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.1
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 Piatt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929
Livingston County
Michigan
66.8
Median income: $101,315

Deep Dives

Piatt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Piatt County

via TaxByCounty

Piatt County taxes: Moderate by national standards

Piatt County's 1.76% effective tax rate ranks just slightly below the national median of 2.10%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $3,040 is 13% below the national median of $2,690, thanks partly to lower median home values.

Piatt above Illinois average, but not by much

At 1.76%, Piatt County's effective rate slightly exceeds Illinois' state average of 1.83%, putting it in the upper-middle range statewide. Its median property tax of $3,040 is just 9% above the state average, reflecting higher-than-average home values for the region.

Piatt has the highest rate in its peer group

Piatt County's 1.76% effective rate is the highest among its regional neighbors, exceeding Pike County (1.56%), Perry County (1.66%), and Putnam County (1.59%). Only compared to statewide averages does Piatt's burden appear moderate rather than elevated.

What a Piatt County homeowner pays

On the median home value of $173,200, the 1.76% effective rate means a typical homeowner pays around $3,040 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, expect $3,386; without one, closer to $2,419—near the national average despite lower home values.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Many Illinois homeowners, including those in Piatt County, pay taxes on inflated assessed values that don't match current market conditions. Filing a property tax appeal can help you challenge an overassessment and lower your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Piatt County

via CostByCounty

Piatt County punches above affordability

Piatt County residents enjoy a 13.0% rent-to-income ratio—well below both the state average of 14.7% and the national baseline—thanks to a median household income of $87,516, the highest among these eight counties. Despite median rent of $950, strong incomes mean housing consumes a smaller share of the paycheck.

Illinois's most affordable renters

Piatt County ranks among Illinois's most housing-affordable counties, with its 13.0% rent-to-income ratio significantly outperforming the state average. This combination of solid wages and reasonable rents makes Piatt a standout for households seeking affordability without sacrificing income.

Piatt leads in income, shares rent costs

Piatt County's median household income of $87,516 dwarfs neighboring Perry ($59,286) and Pike ($58,029), yet its $950 rent falls between Putnam County's $804 and Richland's $754. This income advantage explains Piatt's superior affordability despite higher absolute housing costs.

High earners, high housing costs

Piatt County renters pay $950 monthly while homeowners pay $1,098 for the $173,200 median home—the priciest in this group—but earn enough to handle it comfortably. Housing takes just 13% of household income, leaving substantial room for savings and other expenses.

Piatt rewards higher incomes

If your household income exceeds $80,000, Piatt County offers excellent affordability despite higher absolute housing costs. This county is ideal for professionals and stable families seeking strong income-to-housing balance in central Illinois.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Piatt County

via IncomeByCounty

Piatt County outearns the national average

Piatt County's median household income of $87,516 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 17%, placing it among stronger-earning counties nationally. This advantage reflects the area's agricultural productivity and stable employment base.

Illinois's top earner in this cohort

Piatt County ranks significantly above the Illinois state median of $68,580, earning $18,936 more per household. The county also leads in per capita income at $43,547, nearly 21% above the state average of $36,009.

Clear income leader of the region

Piatt County's $87,516 median stands highest among the eight surveyed counties, substantially ahead of second-place Putnam ($77,526). The gap reflects Piatt's agricultural strength and relatively low unemployment.

Strong position on housing affordability

Piatt County's 13.0% rent-to-income ratio indicates healthy affordability, well below the 15% caution threshold. At a median home value of $173,200, homeownership remains accessible to households earning the county average.

Above-average income unlocks wealth building

Piatt County households benefit from incomes exceeding national norms, creating opportunity to accelerate wealth through diversified investments and estate planning. Strategic financial decisions now—from 401(k) optimization to real estate—can compound significantly over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Piatt County

via HealthByCounty

Piatt County leads on life expectancy

Piatt County residents live to 78.4 years on average—well above the U.S. average of 81.1 years and among Illinois's healthiest counties. Just 13.8% report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, reflecting a population with fewer chronic conditions.

Top tier health outcomes in Illinois

Piatt County's 78.4-year life expectancy outpaces Illinois's 76.0-year state average by 2.4 years. With a 13.8% poor/fair health rate—well below the state median—Piatt ranks among Illinois's healthiest counties.

Healthiest county in the region

Piatt County's 78.4-year life expectancy significantly exceeds neighboring Perry County (75.4 years) and Pike County (74.6 years). Its 13.8% poor/fair health rate is the lowest in the surrounding area, marking Piatt as a regional health leader.

Strong coverage, good primary care access

Piatt County's 5.1% uninsured rate is below the state average of 6.3%, ensuring most residents have health insurance. The county provides 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 96 mental health providers per 100,000, delivering solid access to care.

Maintain your health coverage today

Piatt County's strong health outcomes reflect consistent insurance coverage; if your status changes, visit healthcare.gov to explore marketplace or Medicaid options. Staying insured ensures access to preventive care that keeps this community thriving.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Piatt County

via RiskByCounty

Piatt County falls below national risk threshold

Piatt County's composite risk score of 34.96 places it significantly below the national average and 36% lower than Illinois's statewide average of 54.46. This "Very Low" rating makes Piatt one of Illinois's safer counties for natural disaster exposure, though no location is entirely hazard-free.

Piatt ranks among Illinois's safest counties

Piatt County ranks in the bottom third of Illinois's 102 counties for composite disaster risk, with only about 30 counties scoring lower. This favorable positioning reflects the county's distance from major seismic zones and relative distance from the most tornado-prone regions of the state.

Piatt enjoys lower risk than regional peers

At 34.96, Piatt County scores notably better than its northern neighbor Perry County (72.07) and western neighbor Pike County (30.34), making it among the safest in central Illinois. This lower exposure is due partly to below-average earthquake and tornado risks compared to the state baseline.

Flood and tornado risks warrant attention

Piatt County's most significant hazards are flood risk at 43.67 and tornado risk at 44.34, both slightly below state averages but still meaningful for emergency preparedness. Earthquake risk scores 66.38, reflecting the county's modest seismic exposure relative to southern Illinois counties.

Focus on flood and wind coverage basics

Piatt County homeowners should prioritize flood insurance—available through the National Flood Insurance Program—and verify their standard policy includes wind/hail protection for tornadoes. With low but non-zero hazard exposure across flood and severe weather, basic coverage aligns well with Piatt's risk profile.

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.