Pulaski County's composite score of 76.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 52%, ranking it among the very top American counties. This elite standing reflects measurable strengths in tax burden and affordability.
2 / 5
Illinois's Second-Strongest Performer
Pulaski County's score of 76.0 ranks it second only to Pope County among Illinois communities profiled, far surpassing the state average of 62.1. The county is a genuine livability standout statewide.
3 / 5
Lowest Tax Burden in the Group
Pulaski County boasts the group's highest tax score of 79.1, supported by an ultra-low effective tax rate of 0.825%—the lowest of all eight counties. A cost score of 89.8 delivers median home values of just $81,000 and rents at $625, creating unmatched affordability.
4 / 5
Income Levels Present Real Constraint
Pulaski's critical challenge is its income score of just 11.6, the lowest in this group, with a median household income of $43,227 indicating limited earning potential. We're still gathering health, school, safety, and environmental data to identify other livability factors.
5 / 5
Perfect for Minimal-Budget Living
Pulaski County suits individuals and families on tight budgets or fixed incomes who prioritize rock-bottom housing and tax costs above all else. The county offers exceptional affordability but requires careful financial planning given modest income levels.
Pulaski County's composite score of 76.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 52%, ranking it among the very top American counties. This elite standing reflects measurable strengths in tax burden and affordability.
Illinois's Second-Strongest Performer
Pulaski County's score of 76.0 ranks it second only to Pope County among Illinois communities profiled, far surpassing the state average of 62.1. The county is a genuine livability standout statewide.
Lowest Tax Burden in the Group
Pulaski County boasts the group's highest tax score of 79.1, supported by an ultra-low effective tax rate of 0.825%—the lowest of all eight counties. A cost score of 89.8 delivers median home values of just $81,000 and rents at $625, creating unmatched affordability.
Income Levels Present Real Constraint
Pulaski's critical challenge is its income score of just 11.6, the lowest in this group, with a median household income of $43,227 indicating limited earning potential. We're still gathering health, school, safety, and environmental data to identify other livability factors.
Perfect for Minimal-Budget Living
Pulaski County suits individuals and families on tight budgets or fixed incomes who prioritize rock-bottom housing and tax costs above all else. The county offers exceptional affordability but requires careful financial planning given modest income levels.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pulaski County's 0.825% effective tax rate is extraordinarily low, placing it in the bottom 1% of U.S. counties—less than 40% of the national median of 2.10%. The median property tax of $668 is 75% below the national median of $2,690, making Pulaski exceptionally affordable for property owners.
Pulaski: Illinois' most tax-friendly county
At 0.825%, Pulaski County's effective rate is 55% below the Illinois state average of 1.83%, making it the lowest-taxing county in this analysis. Its median property tax of $668 is 76% below the state average of $2,782, delivering unmatched property tax relief.
Pulaski far exceeds regional advantage
Pulaski County's 0.825% rate crushes all regional competitors: Pope County (1.02%), Pike County (1.56%), Perry County (1.66%), and others. No comparable county in the region comes remotely close to Pulaski's unbeatable tax burden.
What a Pulaski County homeowner pays
On the median home value of $81,000, Pulaski County's 0.825% effective rate means homeowners pay just $668 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, you might pay $1,080; without one, approximately $532—among the lowest in America.
Protect your exceptional tax advantage
Pulaski County's remarkable tax rate is a unique financial asset, but homeowners should still verify their assessments periodically to prevent overcharging. Even small assessment errors can erode the county's substantial savings advantage.
Pulaski County has the highest rent-to-income ratio in this group at 17.4%, well above both the state average of 14.7% and national norms, creating real affordability stress. With the lowest median household income at just $43,227—42% below the national average—residents here struggle most with housing costs relative to earnings.
Illinois's most housing-burdened county
Pulaski County ranks among Illinois's least affordable counties, with 17.4% of income consumed by rent compared to the state average of 14.7%. This burden reflects both lower incomes and the limited supply of affordable units in this southern Illinois community.
Pulaski struggles among peers
Pulaski County's $625 rent falls in the middle range, but its 17.4% affordability burden exceeds all neighbors due to the county's significantly lower median income of $43,227. Even Pike County residents, who earn similarly, dedicate just 13.6% to rent—evidence that Pulaski faces unique affordability challenges.
Housing crisis for low-income families
Pulaski County renters pay $625 monthly while homeowners pay $494 for the $81,000 median home, but the median household income of $43,227 makes these costs severely burdensome. Housing consumes 17.4% of income—well above the recommended 12-15% threshold—leaving families little room for other expenses.
Pulaski requires careful planning
Pulaski County's affordability crisis demands that relocating families have stable, adequate income before considering a move here. Only households committed to this region should prioritize Pulaski; most seeking affordability will find better options in Pike or Pope counties.
Pulaski County's median household income of $43,227 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 42%, among the steepest gaps in this cohort. This reflects structural economic challenges and limited employment opportunities in rural southern Illinois.
Lowest earner in Illinois sample
Pulaski County ranks far below the Illinois state median of $68,580, earning roughly $25,353 less per household. Per capita income of $24,463 falls 32% short of the state average of $36,009—the widest gap among surveyed counties.
Significant challenge relative to peers
Pulaski County's $43,227 income stands lowest among all eight surveyed counties, roughly $15,000 below Pike County and nearly $44,000 below Piatt. This income gap signals acute economic hardship in the county.
Housing costs strain household budgets
Pulaski County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the recommended 15% threshold, signaling that renters spend a large share of earnings on housing. This burden limits savings capacity and financial flexibility for other needs.
Seeking pathways to economic opportunity
Pulaski County residents facing income constraints can prioritize financial literacy, emergency savings, and access to local workforce development resources. Building community networks and exploring remote work options may unlock pathways to broader economic participation.
Pulaski County's life expectancy of 71.6 years is the lowest in Illinois and trails the U.S. average of 81.1 years by nearly a decade. With 23.9% reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in the region—Pulaski residents face a severe health burden driven by poverty and chronic disease.
Illinois's most challenged health outcomes
Pulaski County ranks at the bottom of Illinois counties with a 71.6-year life expectancy, 4.4 years below the state average of 76.0 years. Its 23.9% poor/fair health rate is the worst in the state, signaling an urgent health crisis requiring intervention.
Significantly worse health than all neighbors
Pulaski County's 71.6-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than any neighboring county—nearly 3 years below Richland County (73.7 years). The 23.9% poor/fair health rate far exceeds all comparable counties, marking Pulaski as the region's health emergency.
Inadequate coverage and provider shortage
Pulaski County's 5.9% uninsured rate is near the state average, yet primary care provider data is unavailable—a red flag for care access gaps. With only 81 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county struggles to address both physical and behavioral health needs.
Enroll in coverage and seek support
Pulaski County residents face the state's worst health outcomes; securing health insurance through healthcare.gov or Medicaid is a critical first step. Contact local community health centers for affordable preventive care, screenings, and help managing chronic diseases that fuel high poor/fair health rates.
Pulaski County's composite risk score of 49.05 is close to the national average and slightly below Illinois's statewide average of 54.46, with a "Relatively Low" rating. This puts Pulaski in the middle of the U.S. disaster risk spectrum, requiring thoughtful hazard preparedness without being in a high-danger zone.
Pulaski ranks in Illinois's midrange
With a score of 49.05, Pulaski County places in the middle band of Illinois's 102 counties for natural disaster risk, performing better than about half its peers. The county's balanced hazard profile—neither exceptionally safe nor particularly vulnerable—reflects its position in southern Illinois.
Pulaski is safer than most regional peers
Pulaski County's 49.05 score significantly outperforms neighboring Perry County (72.07) and Randolph County (78.63), making it a relatively safer jurisdiction in southwestern Illinois. It scores higher than Piatt County (34.96) and Pike County (30.34) to the north, reflecting greater seismic exposure.
Earthquake risk dominates Pulaski's profile
Pulaski County's earthquake risk scores 91.19—among the highest in Illinois—while tornado risk is moderate at 37.63 and flood risk is low at 15.14. The county's overall risk is heavily weighted toward seismic activity, making earthquake preparedness the top priority.
Earthquake insurance is essential here
Pulaski County residents should prioritize standalone earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage; this specialized coverage directly addresses the county's dominant hazard. Wind/hail coverage remains important for tornado protection, though less pressing than earthquake preparedness.