Tazewell County

Illinois · IL

#79 in Illinois
59.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Tazewell County, Illinois

Solid performer above the national median

Tazewell County's composite score of 58.2 beats the national median of 50.0 by 8 points, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally. This indicates competitive livability across the dimensions measured so far.

Slightly behind Illinois average

Tazewell scores 58.2 compared to Illinois' 62.1 state average, placing it modestly below the statewide median. The 4-point gap suggests room for improvement, particularly in income levels and tax competitiveness.

Balanced approach across core factors

Tazewell excels with a Cost Score of 75.9 (median home value $164,500, rent $898/month) and Tax Score of 42.8 (2.116% effective rate). The Income Score of 33.5 and median household income of $76,704 position it favorably relative to other Illinois counties.

Limited insights into broader quality of life

Data gaps on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk factors prevent a complete livability picture. These unmeasured dimensions could significantly influence day-to-day life satisfaction and long-term community health.

Strong choice for balanced middle-income families

Tazewell County appeals to families seeking reasonable housing costs paired with moderate-to-above-average incomes and manageable taxes. It offers a well-rounded livability profile without being exceptional in any single dimension.

Score breakdown

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

Tax42.8Cost75.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.5Risk15.8WaterComing Soon
🏛42.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠75.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼33.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
76.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
15.8
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

Tazewell County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tazewell County

via TaxByCounty

Tazewell taxes high against U.S. average

Tazewell County's effective tax rate of 2.116% ranks significantly above the national median of 1.831%, putting it among the higher-taxed counties nationwide. The median property tax of $3,481 exceeds the national median by $791, or 29%.

Top 5% of Illinois counties by rate

Tazewell County ranks approximately 5th among Illinois's 102 counties for effective tax rate at 2.116%, well above the state average of 1.831%. Only a small number of Illinois counties impose comparable property tax rates.

Tazewell taxes higher than surrounding areas

Tazewell County's 2.116% rate exceeds nearby Vermilion County (1.793%) and Warren County (1.896%). Despite having higher median home values ($164,500), Tazewell residents pay more in property taxes than neighbors with comparable income and assets.

Median home costs $3,481 yearly

A home worth the Tazewell County median of $164,500 generates an annual property tax of $3,481. With mortgage-related assessments, homeowners may owe up to $3,637 per year.

Overassessment opportunity to save

Many Tazewell County homeowners are overassessed relative to actual market values and are eligible to appeal their assessments at no cost. A successful appeal could reduce your annual tax burden by hundreds of dollars.

Cost of Living in Tazewell County

via CostByCounty

Tazewell leads Illinois in affordability

Tazewell County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% beats the national average of 14.7%, placing it among more affordable U.S. counties. With a median household income of $76,704—notably $1,949 above the national median—residents here earn more while keeping housing costs in check.

One of Illinois's most affordable counties

Tazewell ranks as one of Illinois's better performers on housing affordability, with a 14.1% rent-to-income ratio below the state average of 14.7%. The county's above-average incomes of $76,704 paired with moderate rents give households financial flexibility that many Illinois counties lack.

Tazewell outperforms most regional peers

Among surrounding counties, only Washington County (12.3%) and Warren County (12.9%) beat Tazewell's affordability; Stephenson County (14.8%) and Vermilion County (17.6%) lag behind. Tazewell's $898 monthly rent reflects premium pricing compared to rural neighbors, yet strong household incomes justify the difference.

Strong income supports higher housing costs

Tazewell residents earning $76,704 annually can comfortably absorb rents of $898 and owner costs of $1,070, spending just 14% of income on housing. This cushion—better than most Illinois counties—reflects Tazewell's stronger economic base and higher-wage employers in the region.

Tazewell balances earnings and housing costs

If you prioritize a strong local economy paired with reasonable housing affordability, Tazewell deserves consideration among Illinois options. Its median home values of $164,500 and above-average incomes signal a stable market that's less boom-and-bust than wealthier counties.

Income & Jobs in Tazewell County

via IncomeByCounty

Tazewell outperforms nation on household income

Tazewell County's median household income of $76,704 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $1,949. This positions the county among the better-earning regions nationwide, suggesting strong labor market fundamentals.

Top earner among Illinois counties

At $76,704, Tazewell County outearns the Illinois state average of $68,580 by $8,124 and ranks among the highest-income counties in the state. Per capita income of $40,072 also tops the state average of $36,009, indicating broad earning power across the population.

Clear income advantage over regional peers

Tazewell's $76,704 median leads Stephenson County ($61,943) by $14,761 and Warren County ($64,650) by $12,054. Among the eight-county region, only Washington County ($75,652) comes close, but Tazewell still maintains the strongest median income.

Housing costs stay affordable at 14.1 percent

Rent consumes just 14.1% of household income in Tazewell, well below the 30% affordability standard and among the region's lowest ratios. Median home values of $164,500 remain achievable for median-income households, supporting homeownership pathways.

Invest aggressively with region's strongest income

Tazewell households earning $76,704 can allocate $1,534 monthly to savings and investments after covering essentials. This regional advantage enables maxing out retirement accounts, diversifying into taxable investments, and building generational wealth faster than neighboring counties.

Health in Tazewell County

via HealthByCounty

Tazewell leads in longevity

Tazewell County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 76.6 years, exceeding both the U.S. average of 74.5 years and Illinois's 76.0-year average. With only 15.5% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 18% benchmark—Tazewell demonstrates some of the strongest health outcomes in its cohort.

Tazewell ranks among Illinois's healthiest

At 76.6 years, Tazewell's life expectancy outperforms Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing it in the upper tier of state counties. The uninsured rate of 5.0% is notably better than Illinois's 6.3% average, signaling strong community health insurance penetration.

Stands out for longevity and coverage

Tazewell's 76.6-year life expectancy edges out neighboring Stephenson County (76.2) and Union County (74.7), though Union has slightly more primary care providers per capita. Tazewell's 5.0% uninsured rate is the lowest among its neighbors, reflecting excellent coverage.

Adequate providers, strong insurance uptake

Tazewell has 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 232 mental health providers per 100,000, providing reasonable access to both routine and behavioral care. The county's 5.0% uninsured rate means most residents can regularly see a doctor without fear of medical debt.

Keep the momentum on coverage

Tazewell's high insurance rates show the power of accessible healthcare options. If you're among the uninsured 5%, visit healthcare.gov or speak with a local navigator to find affordable plans that work for you.

Disaster Risk in Tazewell County

via RiskByCounty

Tazewell faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 84.19, Tazewell County ranks among the higher-risk counties nationally for natural disasters. This "Relatively Moderate" rating reflects substantial exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding.

Illinois's highest-risk county surveyed

Tazewell's 84.19 score is the highest among the eight Illinois counties evaluated here, and substantially exceeds the state average of 54.46. The county faces notably elevated risk across nearly every natural disaster category.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Tazewell (84.19) far exceeds the risk profiles of neighboring counties like Stephenson (73.92) and Vermilion (78.82) to the north and east. Its high earthquake (79.71) and tornado (90.49) scores make it the riskiest county in this immediate region.

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat

Tornado risk reaches 90.49 in Tazewell—among the highest in the nation—and flood risk stands at 84.35, both commanding immediate attention. Earthquake risk (79.71) also exceeds many peers, adding a seismic dimension to your county's hazard profile.

Invest in comprehensive protection now

Flood insurance is essential given your 84.35 flood risk; standard policies leave you vulnerable to water damage. A reinforced safe room or storm shelter is a critical upgrade for tornado protection, and ensure your policy explicitly covers wind, hail, and earthquake damage.

ByCounty Network

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