CountyScore

Stephenson County

Illinois · IL

#87 in Illinois
57.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Stephenson County, Illinois

Above average, but gaps remain

Stephenson County scores 56.1 out of 100, outpacing the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the upper half nationally. This 12% advantage over the national baseline suggests solid fundamentals across tax, cost, and income factors measured so far.

Below Illinois average overall

At 56.1, Stephenson trails Illinois' 62.1 state average by 6 points, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among Illinois counties. The gap reflects challenges in income levels and tax burden compared to stronger-performing regions statewide.

Affordability is the standout strength

Stephenson's Cost Score of 81.4 reveals genuinely affordable housing, with a median home value of $127,500 and median rent just $764 per month. These figures make the county an attractive destination for budget-conscious homebuyers and renters.

Income and taxes need attention

The county's Income Score of 23.8 and Tax Score of 33.0 are significant weak points, with a median household income of $61,943 and effective tax rate of 2.463%. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and water quality also leaves important livability factors unmeasured.

Best for cost-conscious working families

Stephenson County suits families prioritizing affordable housing and lower overall costs over higher incomes or extensive amenities. It's a practical choice for those willing to accept moderate incomes and taxes in exchange for genuine housing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax33Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth73.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk26.1WaterComing Soon
🏛33
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.1
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 Stephenson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

District of Columbia
District of Columbia
57.8
Median income: $106,287
Wayne County
Michigan
57.8
Median income: $59,521
Bucks County
Pennsylvania
57.8
Median income: $111,951
Terry County
Texas
57.8
Median income: $45,905
San Joaquin County
California
57.7
Median income: $88,531

Deep Dives

Stephenson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stephenson County

via TaxByCounty

Stephenson taxes well above national norm

Stephenson County's effective tax rate of 2.463% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.831%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax bill here is $3,140, compared to the national median of $2,690—a 17% premium.

Illinois's third-highest county tax rate

Among Illinois's 102 counties, Stephenson ranks in the top 3% for effective tax rates at 2.463%, well above the state average of 1.831%. Only a handful of Illinois counties impose higher property tax burdens on homeowners.

Higher taxes than surrounding counties

Stephenson County's 2.463% rate substantially exceeds nearby Tazewell County (2.116%) and Warren County (1.896%). Homeowners in Stephenson pay roughly $200–$600 more annually than those in neighboring counties with similar home values.

Median home, median tax bill here

A median-valued home in Stephenson County ($127,500) carries an estimated annual property tax of $3,140. With mortgage-related assessments factored in, owners may pay up to $3,375 annually.

Appeal your assessment today

Many Stephenson County homeowners are overassessed and don't realize they can appeal their property valuations to reduce taxes. Filing an appeal costs nothing and could save hundreds of dollars annually on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stephenson County

via CostByCounty

Stephenson rents track national affordability

Stephenson County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% sits just above the national average of 14.7%, meaning renters here spend about the same share of their paycheck on housing as Americans nationwide. The county's median household income of $61,943 trails the national median by $12,812, yet lower rents of $764 per month keep affordability in balance.

Middle ground in Illinois affordability

At 14.8%, Stephenson County's rent-to-income ratio virtually matches Illinois's state average of 14.7%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. With median rent of $764—about $73 below the state average—the county offers comparable housing costs without the premium prices of Chicago-area counties.

Neighboring counties show mixed costs

Stephenson sits between more affordable neighbors like Warren County (12.9% rent-to-income) and pricier peers like Tazewell County (14.1%). Stephenson's $764 rent falls between Warren's $694 and Tazewell's $898, reflecting a middle position in the region's housing market.

Housing claims roughly one-sixth of income

In Stephenson, renters spend about $764 monthly while homeowners pay $877—both affordable relative to the median household income of $61,943. Overall, housing costs consume roughly 15% of household income, leaving families reasonable breathing room for other expenses.

Consider Stephenson for stable housing costs

If you're weighing Illinois counties, Stephenson offers reliable affordability without the affordability crunch hitting nearby regions like Vermilion County. Compare its balanced rent-to-income ratio and median home values of $127,500 against your current housing burden to see if a move makes financial sense.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stephenson County

via IncomeByCounty

Stephenson trails national income average

Stephenson County's median household income of $61,943 sits $12,812 below the national median of $74,755. This gap places the county in the lower half of U.S. counties, requiring households to stretch budgets further than most Americans.

Below-average ranking within Illinois

At $61,943, Stephenson County earns $6,637 less than Illinois's state average median income of $68,580. The county ranks in the lower tier among Illinois's 102 counties, though per capita income of $34,672 remains close to the state average of $36,009.

Moderate income compared to nearby counties

Stephenson neighbors Tazewell County ($76,704) and Warren County ($64,650), both of which outpace the local median. Washington County to the south earns $75,652, making Stephenson the weakest earner among its three closest neighbors.

Rent remains manageable at 14.8 percent

A 14.8% rent-to-income ratio signals that housing costs consume less than typical for U.S. renters, well below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $127,500 are accessible, making both renting and homeownership feasible for median-income households.

Build stability through modest savings goals

Stephenson County households earning $61,943 can dedicate $1,240 monthly to savings and investments at a conservative 2.4% rate. Starting with employer 401(k) matches and building an emergency fund positions families to weather economic changes and build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stephenson County

via HealthByCounty

Stephenson exceeds national life expectancy

Stephenson County residents live an average of 76.2 years, outpacing the U.S. average of 74.5 years and matching Illinois's state average of 76.0 years. While 18.6% of residents report poor or fair health, this is only slightly above the national rate of 18%, suggesting generally resilient health outcomes compared to the country overall.

Stephenson ranks solidly in Illinois

Stephenson County's 76.2-year life expectancy places it slightly ahead of Illinois's 76.0-year average, positioning the county in the middle-to-upper tier of Illinois counties. The uninsured rate of 5.5% is better than Illinois's 6.3% state average, indicating relatively strong health insurance coverage in the county.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Stephenson's 76.2-year life expectancy matches nearby Tazewell County (76.6) and exceeds Warren County (76.0) and Vermilion County (72.5). The 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents falls between neighbors like Union County's 77 per 100K and Warren County's 54 per 100K.

Good access, low uninsured rates

With 5.5% of residents uninsured and 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Stephenson offers solid healthcare infrastructure. The presence of 230 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ensures community members have access to behavioral health services.

Explore health coverage options

Though Stephenson's uninsured rate is lower than the state average, ensuring every resident has coverage protects against unexpected medical costs. Check healthcare.gov or contact local health departments to find plans that fit your family's needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stephenson County

via RiskByCounty

Stephenson ranks above average nationally

With a composite risk score of 73.92, Stephenson County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to most U.S. counties. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects meaningful exposure to tornadoes and flooding, the county's two dominant hazards.

Above Illinois average, middle of the pack

Stephenson's 73.92 score significantly exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46, placing it in the higher-risk tier among the state's 102 counties. The county ranks notably above many southern and central Illinois peers.

Riskier than nearby Warren County

Stephenson faces notably higher disaster risk than its western neighbor Warren County (15.49), driven by substantially higher tornado and flood exposure. However, Stephenson's risk profile is comparable to neighboring Tazewell County (84.19) to the south.

Tornadoes and floods dominate exposure

Tornado risk (82.25) and flood risk (77.93) are your county's primary natural hazards, each well above national and state averages. While earthquake risk registers at 57.67, the immediate threat comes from severe weather events that develop rapidly across Illinois's flat terrain.

Prioritize flood and tornado coverage

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage—you need a separate flood policy, especially critical given your county's 77.93 flood risk score. Consider a safe room or shelter reinforcement for tornadoes, and ensure your policy includes wind and hail coverage for severe thunderstorms.

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.