countyscore
54
County Score
Income & Jobs 92.8Health 89.1Safety 75.7

County Report Card

About Piatt County, Illinois

Strong National Standing

Piatt County achieves a composite score of 54.9, which exceeds the national median of 50.0. This performance indicates a higher quality of life than the typical American county.

Outperforming the State Average

The county's overall score of 54.9 puts it ahead of the 52.8 average for Illinois counties. It maintains a competitive position within the state's economic landscape.

High Incomes and Health

Residents enjoy a high income score of 90.5, with a median household income reaching $87,516. A health score of 89.1 further reinforces the area's physical and economic well-being.

Tax and Cost Pressure

The tax score of 6.0 is low due to a 1.755% effective tax rate. Housing costs are also less competitive, reflected in a cost score of 29.2 and a median home value of $173,200.

The Verdict: Professionals and Health-Seekers

This county is ideal for high-earning professionals who value health outcomes and safety. It attracts those willing to pay higher taxes in exchange for economic prosperity and community wellness.

204060801004.62575.789.16692.865.133.454Tax4.6Cost25Safety75.7Health89.1Schools66Income92.8Risk65.1Water33.4Weather5454/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Piatt County DNA

Foverall

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

Piatt County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (92.8/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (4.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
4.6-47.4
Cost
25-23
Safety
75.7+20.700000000000003
Health
89.1+39.099999999999994
Schools
66+12
Income
92.8+41.8
Risk
65.1+18.099999999999994
Water
33.4-24.6
Weather
54
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Piatt County?

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

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$180,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,046/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$180,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $94,811/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.0

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

Macon County
Illinois
33.8
De Witt County
Illinois
48
Douglas County
Illinois
55.7
Champaign County
Illinois
34.2
Moultrie County
Illinois
57.9
Coles County
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58.3
McLean County
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48.3
Shelby County
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59.5

Deep Dives

Piatt County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Piatt County

via CrimeByCounty

Piatt County maintains high safety levels

Piatt County has a safety score of 99.1, indicating a very secure environment. Its total crime rate of 580.9 per 100,000 is approximately one-fourth of the national average.

Outperforming the state crime average

Piatt County’s crime rate of 580.9 is better than the Illinois average of 835.0 per 100,000. It consistently ranks as safer than the average Illinois county, which holds a score of 98.7.

Local safety comparisons

Piatt County is slightly less safe than neighboring Moultrie County, which reports a rate of 419.7. However, it remains much safer than larger regional centers like Peoria County.

Breakdown of low-frequency crime

Violent crime remains low at 107.8 per 100,000 residents. Property crime accounts for 473.1 per 100,000, suggesting that most incidents are non-violent and related to theft.

Keep Piatt County secure

Visible home security, such as cameras and signs, can effectively deter the small amount of property crime that occurs. These proactive steps help keep Piatt County’s crime rates well below the state average.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Piatt County

via WeatherByCounty

Standard Midwestern Moisture Levels

While specific temperature data is limited, Piatt’s 39.5 inches of precipitation aligns with national temperate climate norms. It maintains a steady water supply for its agricultural landscape.

Drier Than the Illinois Average

Piatt’s 39.5 inches of annual precipitation is slightly lower than the Illinois average of 41.7 inches. It provides a more moderate moisture profile than the rainier southern counties.

Consistent Snowfall With Its Peers

Piatt receives 15.2 inches of snowfall, which is nearly identical to the 16.2 inches found in Morgan County. It occupies a stable middle ground for Illinois winter weather.

Steady Rainfall and Moderate Snow

The county experiences a clear four-season cycle with 39.5 inches of rain and 15.2 inches of snow. This balance avoids the extreme snow of the north and the heavy rain of the south.

Maintain Your Multi-Season Gear

Residents should keep snow shovels ready for the 15.2 inches of annual snow. Regular roof and gutter inspections are recommended to manage the nearly 40 inches of yearly precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Piatt County

via SoilByCounty

Perfectly Balanced pH for Plant Health

Piatt County boasts a healthy average pH of 6.55, which is higher than the state average of 6.39 and the national median of 6.5. This near-neutrality creates an optimal environment for nutrient uptake across the landscape.

Fine Texture for Maximum Retention

The soil consists of 64.7% silt and 24.8% clay, with sand making up just 10.5% of the mix. This fine-textured composition ensures high nutrient storage and excellent workability for local producers.

Rich Organic Matter Beats State Averages

With an organic matter content of 3.01%, Piatt County exceeds both the state average of 2.94% and the national 2.0% mark. Though the available water capacity of 0.192 in/in is slightly below the state average, the rich biology supports vigorous growth.

Consistent Moisture for Heavy Crops

While specific drainage class data is limited for this region, the high silt and clay content indicates a soil that holds water tightly. Local growers focus on maintaining soil structure to ensure consistent irrigation and root health.

Hardiness Zone 6a Staples

Resting in hardiness zone 6a, this region is perfect for staple crops like corn, soybeans, and hearty perennials. The exceptional organic matter levels provide a natural boost for any backyard vegetable plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Piatt County

via LawnByCounty

Steady Growing Conditions in Piatt County

Piatt County earns a 68.0 difficulty score, placing it just below the Illinois state average but significantly higher than the national median. Situated in Zone 6a, this area supports classic Midwestern turfgrasses that prefer slightly cooler winters.

Moderate Rainfall for Thirsty Turf

The county averages 39.5 inches of precipitation annually, which is slightly less than the Illinois state average of 41.8 inches. While specific heat day data is limited for this area, the rainfall levels typically support a consistent mowing schedule through the spring peak.

Balanced pH for Optimal Nutrition

Your soil boasts a pH of 6.55, which falls perfectly within the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for nutrient uptake. The 24.8% clay content helps retain moisture, though you should monitor for drainage issues during heavy spring rains.

Intense Drought Pressure This Year

Piatt County is currently facing a total drought crisis, with 100% of the area in severe drought or worse. Lawns have spent 40 weeks in drought over the past year, making supplemental irrigation vital to prevent total turf dormancy or loss.

Time for Hardier Grass Selections

Given the recent 40-week drought trend, drought-tolerant Kentucky bluegrass or turf-type tall fescues are your best bets. Because local frost dates are unavailable, monitor soil temperatures and aim for a fall seeding window when the ground is consistently between 50 and 65 degrees.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Piatt County's county score?
Piatt County, Illinois has a composite county score of 54 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 Piatt County rank among counties in Illinois?
Piatt County ranks #52 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 Piatt County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Piatt County is $3,265, with an effective tax rate of 1.81%. This earns Piatt County a tax score of 4.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Piatt County?
The median household income in Piatt County, Illinois is $94,811 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Piatt County earns an income score of 92.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Piatt County, Illinois a good place to live?
Piatt County scores 54/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #52 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Piatt 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 Piatt 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.