CountyScore

Wabash County

Illinois · IL

#13 in Illinois
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Wabash County, Illinois

Well above national livability median

Wabash County's 67.1 score exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it in approximately the 67th percentile nationally. This strong performance is anchored by exceptional tax and housing affordability.

Top performer among Illinois counties

Wabash ranks at 67.1, outpacing Illinois' 62.1 state average by nearly 5 points and placing it among the state's elite. This strong statewide position reflects competitive advantages across measured dimensions.

Tax efficiency and housing affordability excel

Wabash boasts a Tax Score of 60.9 (1.471% effective rate) and Cost Score of 83.9 (median home $103,900, rent $774/month). Together, these create one of Illinois' most financially accessible environments.

Income opportunities limited relative to costs

The Income Score of 18.4 and median household income of $53,650 represent the lowest earnings in this group. Gaps in safety, health, education, and environmental data prevent a complete livability assessment.

Excellent for fixed-income and conservative spenders

Wabash County is tailor-made for retirees, social security recipients, and those seeking maximum financial breathing room despite modest incomes. Its combination of low taxes and ultra-affordable housing creates compelling livability for budget-first households.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.9Cost83.9SafetyComing SoonHealth72.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.4Risk75.2WaterComing Soon
🏛60.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.2
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 Wabash County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
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69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Wabash County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wabash County

via TaxByCounty

Wabash taxes competitive nationally

Wabash County's effective tax rate of 1.471% sits below the national median of 1.831%, making it relatively affordable for property taxes across the U.S. The median property tax of $1,528 is 43% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Bottom 25% of Illinois counties

Wabash County ranks in the lowest quartile of Illinois counties for effective tax rate at 1.471%, well below the state average of 1.831%. This positions Wabash as one of the most tax-friendly counties in the state.

Lower taxes than adjacent counties

Wabash County's 1.471% rate edges out Wayne County (1.526%) and trails Union County (1.405%), the regional leader. Homeowners here benefit from some of the lowest property tax rates in southern Illinois.

Median home costs just $1,528 yearly

A median-valued home in Wabash County ($103,900) generates an estimated annual property tax of only $1,528. With mortgage-related adjustments, owners may pay up to $1,942 annually.

Appeal if your home is overassessed

Even in low-tax Wabash County, some homeowners overpay due to inflated assessments and can appeal at no cost. An appeal could further reduce your modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wabash County

via CostByCounty

Wabash renters struggle with affordability

Wabash County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the least affordable in this group, exceeding the national average by nearly 3 percentage points. With median household income of $53,650—the lowest across these eight counties—residents face a genuine affordability squeeze despite modest rents of $774.

Illinois's second-least affordable county

Only Vermilion County (17.6%) exceeds Wabash's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio statewide, placing Wabash in crisis territory relative to Illinois's 14.7% average. Wabash's combination of low income and elevated housing costs indicates a regional economic challenge.

Wabash mirrors Vermilion's affordability crisis

Wabash and Vermilion form a pair of counties facing housing affordability challenges, with Wabash's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio second only to Vermilion's 17.6%. Union County (14.0%) and Wayne County (14.3%)—mere miles away—offer substantially more affordable rental markets.

Housing costs dominate family budgets

Wabash residents earning $53,650 allocate $774 monthly to rent—consuming 17.3% of household income, well above healthy thresholds. Owner costs of $697 provide slightly more breathing room, but renters here dedicate a significant portion of earnings to housing, limiting funds for other necessities.

Explore more affordable neighboring counties

If you currently live in Wabash and feel stretched financially, nearby Union County or Wayne County offer noticeably lower rent burdens at 14.0% and 14.3% respectively. A county-line move could free up meaningful income while keeping you within your existing region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wabash County

via IncomeByCounty

Wabash County significantly underperforms nationally

Wabash County's median household income of $53,650 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $21,105. This substantial gap places the county among the nation's lowest earners, limiting household financial flexibility.

Lowest earner in the eight-county cohort

At $53,650, Wabash County ranks among Illinois's most economically disadvantaged, earning $14,930 less than the state average of $68,580. Per capita income of $36,323 barely matches the state average of $36,009, indicating most earnings concentrate among few workers.

Tied for weakest income among close counties

Wabash's $53,650 median ties with Wayne County and ranks second-lowest only to Vermilion ($54,537) in the region. The $23,054 deficit versus Tazewell County illustrates severe economic disparity across central Illinois.

Rent strain reaches 17.3 percent threshold

At 17.3% of household income, Wabash County's rent burden approaches the high-stress range, the second-highest in the region. Median home values of $103,900 are among the lowest regionally, offering opportunity for equity building despite income constraints.

Maximize home equity as primary wealth tool

Wabash households earning $53,650 face limited discretionary income but can direct roughly $1,073 monthly to savings with careful budgeting. Leveraging low home prices to build equity through owner-occupied housing and accessing first-time buyer programs should anchor long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wabash County

via HealthByCounty

Wabash near national health averages

Wabash County's life expectancy of 76.4 years slightly exceeds the U.S. average of 74.5 years and Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing the county in a healthy range. At 19.1% reporting poor or fair health—modestly above the national 18%—Wabash residents experience manageable chronic disease burden compared to the nation overall.

Wabash performs above state average

With a 76.4-year life expectancy, Wabash exceeds Illinois's 76.0-year average by 0.4 years, ranking in the upper-middle tier of state counties. The uninsured rate of 5.8% is better than Illinois's 6.3% average, showing solid health insurance uptake across the county.

Balanced health outcomes among peers

Wabash's 76.4-year life expectancy places it between Tazewell (76.6) and Stephenson (76.2), showing consistent health outcomes with immediate neighbors. With 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wabash has fewer providers than Union (77) or Tazewell (43), but 311 mental health providers per 100,000 ensures robust behavioral care access.

Moderate coverage, mental health strength

Wabash's 5.8% uninsured rate and 36 primary care providers per 100,000 represent adequate basic coverage and access to routine care. The county's exceptional strength lies in mental health providers at 311 per 100,000 residents, well above the regional average and reflecting strong community investment in behavioral health.

Build on strong coverage rates

Wabash's relatively low uninsured rate reflects effective health insurance outreach, but closing the remaining gaps improves health for everyone. Visit healthcare.gov or speak with a county health official to connect the uninsured 5.8% with affordable plans and preventive services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wabash County

via RiskByCounty

Wabash ranks very low nationally

With a composite risk score of 24.84, Wabash County has one of the lowest natural disaster risk profiles in the nation. This "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to most weather hazards, though earthquake risk (86.04) stands as a notable exception.

Among Illinois's safest counties

Wabash's 24.84 score ranks it as one of the state's lowest-risk counties, nearly 55% below the Illinois state average of 54.46. Only Warren County (15.49) shows comparable or lower overall risk statewide.

Safest in the immediate region

Wabash County (24.84) is substantially safer than neighboring Union County (55.38) and Wayne County (40.74) across most hazards. Its minimal flood and tornado exposure distinguishes it as the lowest-risk county in this southern Illinois cluster.

Earthquake is the lone concern

Earthquake risk (86.04) is your county's only significant natural hazard exposure, reflecting its position near southern Illinois fault zones. Tornado (29.10) and flood (25.83) risks remain well below national and state averages.

Earthquake coverage your main need

Earthquake insurance is essential despite your county's overall low risk profile; standard homeowners insurance excludes seismic damage entirely. For other hazards, standard coverage proves adequate, but securing furniture and reinforcing foundations remains prudent earthquake preparedness.

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.