Sangamon County

Illinois · IL

#83 in Illinois
58.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Sangamon County, Illinois

Solidly Above National Median

Sangamon County scores 58.8 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 18% and placing it in the upper-middle range nationally. However, it falls slightly below Illinois's state average of 62.1.

Slightly Below State Average

With a score of 58.8, Sangamon ranks in the middle of Illinois counties, trailing the state average by 3.3 points. The county's livability is respectable but not among the state's top performers.

Strong Income Leads the Way

Sangamon County boasts the highest income score in this group at 31.8, with median household income of $74,114—solid earning power for a regional economy. The county balances this with moderate housing costs (cost score 74.7) and a reasonable tax rate of 1.978%.

Tax Burden Creates Headwind

The tax score of 46.6 reflects a moderate-to-high burden relative to peers, with a 1.978% effective rate that weighs on affordability. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality limit the full livability picture.

Right for Income-Focused Families

Sangamon County appeals to professionals and families prioritizing solid incomes and reasonable housing costs over bargain-basement pricing. It's a balanced choice for those seeking a stable middle-class lifestyle in central Illinois.

Score breakdown

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

Tax46.6Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth75.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk8.3WaterComing Soon
🏛46.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
8.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Sangamon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sangamon County

via TaxByCounty

Sangamon taxes slightly above national median

At 1.98%, Sangamon County's effective tax rate edges past the national median of 2.05%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $3,369 exceeds the national median of $2,690, though the county's median home value of $170,300 is 40% lower than the national median.

Sangamon ranks above Illinois average

With a 1.98% effective rate, Sangamon exceeds Illinois' state average of 1.83% by 15 basis points. The median tax of $3,369 is among the higher county-level burdens in the state, placing Sangamon in the upper-middle tier statewide.

Sangamon higher than most surrounding counties

Sangamon's 1.98% rate exceeds Shelby County (1.50%) and Saline County (1.56%) but aligns closely with Stark County (1.64%). The $3,369 median tax here is notably higher than these neighbors, reflecting stronger local revenue needs.

Plan for approximately $3,369 yearly

On the median home valued at $170,300, Sangamon County homeowners typically pay $3,369 per year in property taxes. When accounting for mortgage escrow reserves, the median increases to $3,651.

Assessments deserve regular review

With property values fluctuating, many Sangamon homeowners' assessments lag behind—but some may also run ahead of market value. Requesting an assessment appeal is straightforward and could save you hundreds annually if your home is overvalued.

Cost of Living in Sangamon County

via CostByCounty

Sangamon matches national affordability standards

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.4%, Sangamon County nearly mirrors the national benchmark, and its median household income of $74,114 matches the national median of $74,755. This alignment suggests Sangamon offers balanced affordability for households with national-level earnings.

Above-average incomes, above-average rents

Sangamon ranks among Illinois's most prosperous counties, with a median income exceeding most state peers and rents of $954—the highest in this region. This higher cost reflects the county's economic vitality, particularly driven by Springfield's state government employment.

Highest rents but best earning potential

Sangamon's $954 rent runs $243 above Saline County and $91 above Rock Island, yet median home values of $170,300 reflect stronger investment confidence in the region. The trade-off: higher housing costs are offset by superior job markets and earning potential.

Premium housing on premium incomes

Renters spend $954 monthly and homeowners $1,082, consuming 15.4% and 17.5% of the median $74,114 household income respectively. While these percentages align with national norms, the absolute dollars are higher—appropriate for a county with the strongest earning potential.

Sangamon: invest in stronger job markets

Relocating to Illinois for stable government work or professional employment? Sangamon County's $954 rent and $170,300 median home value reflect an economically robust region anchored by Springfield. Compare these costs against your earning potential—Sangamon rewards higher incomes.

Income & Jobs in Sangamon County

via IncomeByCounty

Sangamon Nearly Matches National Income

Sangamon County's median household income of $74,114 is virtually even with the national median of $74,755, falling just $641 short. This positions Sangamon as one of Illinois's stronger economic performers relative to the national benchmark.

Sangamon Leads Illinois County Incomes

At $74,114, Sangamon County outpaces the Illinois state average of $68,580 by $5,534 annually, ranking at or near the top of profiled counties. The county's per capita income of $42,851 is similarly strong, reflecting higher individual earning power.

Clear Income Leader in Central Illinois

Sangamon's $74,114 median income significantly exceeds neighboring counties like Shelby ($68,457) and Rock Island ($66,768), establishing it as a regional economic hub. The county's strength likely reflects Springfield's presence as the state capital and employment draw.

Strong Income Supports Housing Stability

Sangamon's 15.4% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates housing is comfortably affordable, and the median home value of $170,300 remains within reach for median-income households. Residents enjoy relative financial breathing room compared to lower-income counties.

Invest in Your Future From Sangamon

With a median household income of $74,114, Sangamon County families are well-positioned to invest in stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts beyond emergency savings. Higher earning power here creates genuine opportunity to build generational wealth and financial independence.

Health in Sangamon County

via HealthByCounty

Sangamon Leads on Life Expectancy

Sangamon County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 76.8 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 0.7 years. With a 16.6% poor or fair health rate slightly above national levels, Sangamon combines longevity with moderate health challenges.

Illinois's Top-Tier Health Performer

Sangamon County's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks among Illinois's best, topping the state average of 76.0 years. A 5.2% uninsured rate—below the state's 6.3%—suggests strong healthcare access and enrollment.

Regional Health Leader by Wide Margin

Sangamon County's 76.8-year life expectancy leads neighboring counties, outpacing Rock Island (76.4 years), Scott (75.6 years), and Saline (72.5 years) decisively. With 121 primary care providers per 100K—the highest in this group—Sangamon invests heavily in physician access.

Strong Coverage and Robust Provider Network

At 5.2% uninsured, Sangamon has one of the lowest rates among Illinois counties, with most residents able to access healthcare through insurance. The county's 121 primary care providers per 100K and 323 mental health providers per 100K create a robust care infrastructure supporting both preventive and specialized services.

Maintain Your Coverage in Sangamon

With 95% of Sangamon residents insured, the county's healthcare ecosystem is working—but don't let your coverage lapse. Visit healthcare.gov to verify your plan is current, and take advantage of your county's strong primary care network for regular check-ups.

Disaster Risk in Sangamon County

via RiskByCounty

Sangamon faces elevated disaster risk

Sangamon County scores 91.70 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Moderate category and substantially above Illinois's state average of 54.46. This capital-region county experiences compounded hazards that require serious preparedness planning across multiple disaster types.

Third-highest risk in Illinois

Sangamon ranks among the top three riskiest counties in Illinois with its 91.70 composite score, surpassing 90% of the state's other counties. The county's tornado risk of 97.14 is among the very highest in the state, reflecting its position in the heart of tornado alley.

Most dangerous in central Illinois

Sangamon's 91.70 score makes it the most at-risk county in its region, substantially exceeding safer neighbors like Shelby County (51.75) and Schuyler County (11.36). Only St. Clair County (94.91) carries higher composite risk among Illinois counties.

Extreme tornado and flood exposure

Sangamon residents face exceptional tornado risk at 97.14 and significant flood risk at 91.16—both among the state's highest. Earthquake risk is also elevated at 94.56, creating a compound-hazard environment that demands year-round preparedness across multiple threat types.

Strengthen defenses against multiple threats

Sangamon homeowners should maintain comprehensive tornado and flood insurance, including separate NFIP flood coverage, plus earthquake insurance given the elevated seismic risk. Identify or construct a safe room rated for tornadoes, regularly update emergency supplies, and review insurance annually to ensure adequate limits.

ByCounty Network

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