CountyScore

Vermilion County

Illinois · IL

#71 in Illinois
61.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Vermilion County, Illinois

Strong performance against national average

Vermilion County's 63.8 score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in approximately the 64th percentile nationally. This solid showing reflects strong performance in cost and tax factors.

Slight edge over Illinois statewide average

At 63.8, Vermilion County marginally outperforms Illinois' 62.1 state average by 1.7 points, ranking slightly above the state median. This narrow advantage positions it among Illinois' mid-to-upper tier counties.

Excellent housing affordability and value

Vermilion's Cost Score of 83.9 shines, with the lowest median home values ($92,900) and moderate rent ($802/month) among this group. The Tax Score of 51.8 and 1.793% effective rate add further financial appeal.

Income generation remains a concern

The Income Score of 19.0 and median household income of $54,537 are the lowest in this county set, indicating limited earning opportunities. Unmeasured dimensions like safety, health, and education quality also remain unknown.

Perfect for economy-minded early-career workers

Vermilion County is ideal for young professionals, small-business owners, or anyone seeking rock-bottom housing costs without geographic isolation. Its exceptional affordability combined with manageable taxes makes it compelling for those willing to accept lower average incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax51.8Cost83.9SafetyComing SoonHealth68.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome19Risk21.2WaterComing Soon
🏛51.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.2
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 Vermilion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

El Dorado County
California
61.3
Median income: $106,190
Polk County
Florida
61.3
Median income: $63,644
Sarasota County
Florida
61.3
Median income: $80,633
Sedgwick County
Kansas
61.3
Median income: $67,675
Andrews County
Texas
61.3
Median income: $76,902

Deep Dives

Vermilion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Vermilion County

via TaxByCounty

Vermilion taxes slightly below U.S. average

Vermilion County's effective tax rate of 1.793% runs slightly below the national median of 1.831%, positioning it as a relatively affordable county for property taxes nationwide. The median property tax of $1,666 is 38% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Below-average taxes for Illinois

Vermilion County ranks in the bottom 30% of Illinois counties for effective tax rate at 1.793%, below the state average of 1.831%. This modest advantage helps keep homeowner costs lower than most of Illinois.

Competitive taxes in central Illinois

Vermilion County's 1.793% rate falls between Tazewell County (2.116%) and Wayne County (1.526%), making it middle-ground for the region. Despite lower median home values ($92,900), Vermilion residents enjoy tax rates comparable to or better than neighboring counties.

Median home costs under $1,700 yearly

A median-valued home in Vermilion County ($92,900) carries an estimated annual property tax of just $1,666. This low absolute dollar amount reflects both the modest home values and favorable tax rate.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Even with affordable taxes, some Vermilion County homeowners are overassessed and can file appeals to reduce their bills. A successful challenge costs nothing and could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Vermilion County

via CostByCounty

Vermilion renters face tighter affordability

Vermilion County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds both the national average of 14.7% and the Illinois state average of 14.7%, signaling genuine affordability strain. The county's relatively low median household income of $54,537—$20,218 below the national median—leaves renters with less cushion to absorb housing costs.

Among Illinois's least affordable counties

Vermilion ranks as one of Illinois's most expensive counties for renters relative to income, with a 17.6% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average. Only Wabash County (17.3%) comes close to matching Vermilion's affordability burden, indicating a regional housing-cost squeeze.

Vermilion faces regional affordability crisis

At 17.6%, Vermilion's rent burden significantly exceeds all neighboring counties except Wabash (17.3%), with Union County (14.0%) and Wayne County (14.3%) demonstrating much tighter spending ratios. This suggests Vermilion's rents—$802 monthly—strain household budgets despite being modest in absolute dollars.

Rents consume nearly one-fifth of income

Vermilion residents earning $54,537 annually pay $802 in median rent, consuming 17.6% of household income—nearly one-fifth. Owner costs of $663 are more manageable, but renters here face noticeably tighter finances than peers in neighboring counties.

Compare Vermilion against nearby alternatives

If you're considering Vermilion, weigh its affordability against nearby Union County—just miles away with 14.0% rent-to-income versus Vermilion's 17.6%. A modest relocation within the region could significantly reduce your housing-cost burden while maintaining community ties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Vermilion County

via IncomeByCounty

Vermilion significantly lags national income

Vermilion County's median household income of $54,537 falls $20,218 short of the national median of $74,755. This steep deficit places the county in the bottom quartile nationally, requiring households to stretch every dollar.

Among the lowest earners in Illinois

At $54,537, Vermilion County earns $14,043 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580 and ranks among the state's most economically challenged counties. Per capita income of $30,447 significantly underperforms the state average of $36,009, signaling limited job quality.

Lowest-earning county in regional comparison

Vermilion's $54,537 median ranks last among the eight-county region, trailing Tazewell by $22,167 and even Union County by $1,883. The county faces the steepest economic headwinds among its peers, requiring targeted economic development.

Rent burden peaks at 17.6 percent

Vermilion County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the region, indicating renters here sacrifice larger income shares to housing. Median home values of $92,900 offer affordable entry points, but lower incomes mean homeownership requires down-payment assistance.

Focus on income growth and career advancement

Vermilion households earning $54,537 face tight cash flow but can allocate roughly $1,091 monthly to savings through strict budgeting. Pursuing higher-wage careers, seeking education or training grants, and leveraging low home prices to build equity through ownership should be primary wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Vermilion County

via HealthByCounty

Vermilion facing critical health crisis

Vermilion County's life expectancy of 72.5 years is the lowest in its cohort, trailing the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 2 years and Illinois's 76.0-year average by 3.5 years. With 21.1% reporting poor or fair health—the highest in the group—Vermilion residents bear a significant burden of chronic disease and reduced health resilience.

Vermilion ranks among Illinois's lowest

Vermilion's 72.5-year life expectancy represents a 3.5-year gap below Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing it near the bottom of state counties. The uninsured rate of 5.4% is slightly below the state average of 6.3%, but this modest advantage cannot offset the severe health outcome disparities.

Dramatically worse than surrounding counties

Vermilion's 72.5-year life expectancy trails every peer county in the analysis, including Union (74.7), Warren (76.0), and Tazewell (76.6). While the county has strong mental health provider density at 408 per 100,000—far above neighbors—only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 limits access to preventive care.

Chronic disease burden, provider shortages

With only 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Vermilion lacks the primary care infrastructure to manage the county's high rates of chronic disease and poor/fair health. The 408 mental health providers per 100,000 suggest significant behavioral health need, but without adequate primary care, residents cannot access the foundational preventive services that extend life and improve health.

Insurance is a critical first step

Vermilion's health crisis demands action: ensure your family has coverage to access the mental and primary care services that can change outcomes. Contact Vermilion County Health Department or visit healthcare.gov to enroll today—coverage is the gateway to preventive care and healthier futures.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Vermilion County

via RiskByCounty

Vermilion faces above-average national risk

With a composite risk score of 78.82, Vermilion County ranks in the upper tier of natural disaster risk nationally. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects substantial exposure to tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes across its central Illinois location.

Well above Illinois state average

Vermilion's 78.82 score significantly exceeds Illinois's 54.46 state average, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces elevated hazards across multiple categories, not concentrated in a single disaster type.

Comparable to Tazewell, exceeds Warren

Vermilion (78.82) approaches the risk level of neighboring Tazewell County (84.19) to the northwest while far exceeding Warren County (15.49) to the west. Its balanced multi-hazard profile sets it apart from counties dominated by a single threat.

Tornadoes and floods lead threats

Tornado risk (79.71) and flood risk (76.46) are your county's primary hazards, each substantially exceeding national averages. Earthquake risk (85.24) rounds out a notably complex hazard landscape for a central Illinois county.

Prepare for multiple disaster types

Flood insurance is non-negotiable given your 76.46 flood risk score; it's not included in standard homeowners policies. Invest in a safe room or shelter for tornado protection, and ensure your policy covers wind, hail, and earthquake damage—you face meaningful risk across all three.

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.