Pike County's composite score of 67.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This strong showing reflects measurably better livability across multiple dimensions.
2 / 5
Illinois Leader in Livability
Pike County ranks above Illinois's state average of 62.1 with its score of 67.2, positioning it among the state's stronger performers. The county outperforms most other Illinois communities on livability measures.
3 / 5
Tax and Affordability Combo Wins
Pike County's standout advantage is its unbeatable cost-to-tax ratio: a cost score of 85.1 with median home values at just $100,100 and rents at $659 monthly, coupled with the state's lowest effective tax rate of 1.555%. Few counties match Pike's value proposition for budget-conscious households.
4 / 5
Income Levels Remain Modest
Pike's income score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of $58,029, indicating limited wage growth potential. We continue gathering health, school, safety, and environmental data to provide a fuller livability assessment.
5 / 5
Sweet Spot for Savers and Retirees
Pike County is tailor-made for retirees, savers, and anyone maximizing purchasing power on a fixed or modest income. If low taxes and rock-bottom housing costs are your top priorities, Pike delivers exceptional value.
Pike County's composite score of 67.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This strong showing reflects measurably better livability across multiple dimensions.
Illinois Leader in Livability
Pike County ranks above Illinois's state average of 62.1 with its score of 67.2, positioning it among the state's stronger performers. The county outperforms most other Illinois communities on livability measures.
Tax and Affordability Combo Wins
Pike County's standout advantage is its unbeatable cost-to-tax ratio: a cost score of 85.1 with median home values at just $100,100 and rents at $659 monthly, coupled with the state's lowest effective tax rate of 1.555%. Few counties match Pike's value proposition for budget-conscious households.
Income Levels Remain Modest
Pike's income score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of $58,029, indicating limited wage growth potential. We continue gathering health, school, safety, and environmental data to provide a fuller livability assessment.
Sweet Spot for Savers and Retirees
Pike County is tailor-made for retirees, savers, and anyone maximizing purchasing power on a fixed or modest income. If low taxes and rock-bottom housing costs are your top priorities, Pike delivers exceptional value.
Score breakdown
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🏛58.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.56%, Pike County's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom quartile of U.S. counties, well below the national median of 2.10%. The median property tax of $1,557 is 42% below the national median of $2,690, making Pike one of the most tax-friendly counties in the nation.
Pike County: Illinois' lowest-taxing peer county
Pike County's 1.56% effective rate is the lowest among all comparable Illinois counties examined here and well below the state average of 1.83%. Its median property tax of $1,557 is 44% below the Illinois average, delivering exceptional tax relief for homeowners.
Pike County undercuts all regional neighbors
Pike County's 1.56% rate is the lowest in the entire region, beating Perry County (1.66%), Putnam County (1.59%), and all others by a significant margin. This makes Pike a standout for tax-conscious homebuyers seeking the region's most affordable property tax burden.
What a Pike County homeowner pays
On a median home value of $100,100, Pike County's 1.56% effective rate translates to just $1,557 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, you'd pay $1,669; without one, approximately $1,460—among the lowest in the Midwest.
Verify your assessment stays fair
Even in low-tax Pike County, some homeowners' assessed values drift above market reality as properties age and neighborhoods change. A periodic appeal ensures your taxes stay proportional to your home's actual worth.
Pike County offers some of the lowest rents in this group at just $659 monthly, yielding a 13.6% rent-to-income ratio comfortably below both state (14.7%) and national averages. Despite a median household income of $58,029—below the national figure—residents here get genuine affordability.
Pike ranks highly for Illinois affordability
Pike County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio positions it well within Illinois's more affordable counties, outperforming the state average by over one percentage point. The county's $659 median rent is the lowest among these eight, offering relief for budget-conscious renters.
Pike undercuts Perry and Pope
Pike County's $659 rent stands as the cheapest option here, beating Perry's $714 and Pope's $438 (though Pope's unusually low rent reflects its rural character). Pike homeowners pay $765 monthly, making ownership competitive with neighboring counties despite lower median incomes.
Bargain hunting pays off here
Pike County renters spend just $659 monthly while homeowners pay $765 for a $100,100 median home, among the least expensive in the region. Together, housing accounts for roughly 14% of the median $58,029 household income—manageable but leaving less cushion than higher-income counties.
Pike County for budget-conscious movers
Pike County delivers Illinois's lowest rents in this comparison, making it ideal for renters prioritizing cost control. If you earn a moderate income but need maximum affordability, Pike's $659 rents offer genuine relief.
Pike County's median household income of $58,029 falls 22% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower tier nationally. This gap reflects Pike's rural character and limited high-wage employment sectors.
Below Illinois state average
Pike County earns $10,551 less than the Illinois state median of $68,580, ranking among the state's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $30,438 also trails the state average of $36,009 by roughly 15%.
Pike ranks among the county cluster's lowest
Pike County's $58,029 places it second-lowest among the eight surveyed counties, just above Pulaski ($43,227) and nearly tied with Perry ($59,286). Neighboring Randolph ($68,870) and Putnam ($77,526) both earn notably more.
Housing costs remain manageable
Pike County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs well within the healthy range, suggesting renters spend a modest share of earnings on shelter. The median home value of $100,100 aligns reasonably with local income levels.
Every dollar counts toward financial security
Pike County households can build wealth through disciplined budgeting and starting investment habits early, even with modest incomes. Low-cost index funds and automatic savings plans allow residents to participate in long-term market growth.
Pike County's life expectancy of 74.6 years falls 6.5 years short of the U.S. average of 81.1 years. With 18.2% reporting poor or fair health—above the national average of 18%—Pike County faces significant health challenges.
Below-average health outcomes for Illinois
Pike County's 74.6-year life expectancy ranks among Illinois's lowest, trailing the state average of 76.0 years. The county's 18.2% poor/fair health rate indicates more chronic disease burden than most Illinois counties.
Lower life expectancy than neighbors
Pike County's 74.6-year life expectancy is the lowest in the region, well below Piatt County (78.4 years) and Perry County (75.4 years). Its 18.2% poor/fair health rate also signals greater health challenges than surrounding counties.
Higher uninsured rate, moderate provider access
Pike County's 7.9% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 6.3%, leaving nearly 8 out of 100 residents without health insurance. With 62 primary care providers per 100,000 and 105 mental health providers per 100,000, access is moderate but coverage gaps remain a barrier.
Get insured and improve health outcomes
Nearly 8% of Pike County residents lack health insurance—above the state average—missing out on preventive care and treatment. Visit healthcare.gov today to explore Medicaid or marketplace plans; coverage is often more affordable than you think.
Pike County's composite risk score of 30.34 is among the lowest in the nation and 44% below Illinois's state average of 54.46, earning a "Very Low" rating. This makes Pike County an exceptionally safe haven from natural disasters compared to typical U.S. counties, particularly regarding wildfire and earthquake threats.
Pike ranks in Illinois's bottom 10% for risk
With a score of 30.34, Pike County falls well below the state median, placing it among roughly the bottom 15 counties of Illinois's 102 for disaster risk. This favorable standing reflects the county's low seismic activity, minimal wildfire exposure, and moderate tornado susceptibility.
Pike outperforms nearly all regional counties
Pike County's 30.34 score is better than surrounding Perry County (72.07) and Randolph County (78.63), making it a relative safe zone in southwestern Illinois. Only nearby Pope County (14.89) and Putnam County (9.16) score lower among nearby jurisdictions, marking Pike as part of central Illinois's lower-risk cluster.
Flood and tornado are minor concerns
Pike County's top hazards are flood risk at 33.65 and tornado risk at 33.02—both well below state averages—with wildfire risk nearly negligible at just 0.95. Earthquake exposure, at 47.71, is Pike's highest individual risk score but remains moderate in absolute terms.
Standard homeowners insurance is typically adequate
Pike County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance usually provides sufficient coverage for most residents, though flood-prone properties should verify coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Verify that wind and hail protection is included to address Pike's modest tornado exposure.