countyscore
51.6
County Score
Disaster Risk 84.5Lawn Care 78Soil Quality 77.5

County Report Card

About Warren County, Illinois

Warren Maintains a Solid Standing

Warren County holds a composite score of 52.4, edging out the national median of 50.0. It offers a balanced profile that aligns with the expectations of an average American community.

Consistent with Illinois Averages

The county's score of 52.4 is nearly identical to the Illinois state average of 52.8. It serves as a representative example of the quality of life found across the state.

Low Risk and Excellent Schools

The county earns an impressive risk score of 84.5 and a strong school score of 74.6. Housing is also highly accessible, with median home values recorded at just $101,300.

High Tax Rates and Mid-Range Safety

A low tax score of 4.2 reflects the burden of a 1.896% effective property tax rate. Safety is also in the middle of the pack, earning a score of 44.5.

Great for Families Seeking Schools

Warren County is a top choice for parents who want strong educational outcomes and low environmental risk at a fraction of the national housing cost. It provides a stable, school-focused environment for those who can manage moderate property taxes.

204060801004.464.344.558.574.655.584.550.151.5Tax4.4Cost64.3Safety44.5Health58.5Schools74.6Income55.5Risk84.5Water50.1Weather51.551.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Warren County DNA

Foverall

How Warren County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Warren County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (84.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (4.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
4.4-47.6
Cost
64.3+16.299999999999997
Safety
44.5-10.5
Health
58.5+8.5
Schools
74.6+20.599999999999994
Income
55.5
Risk
84.5+37.5
Water
50.1
Weather
51.5
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Warren County?

Many homeowners in Warren County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$105,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$788/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$105,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,385/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

12.1

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Knox County
Illinois
55.3
Henderson County
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62.6
Mercer County
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62.5
McDonough County
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56.2
Des Moines County
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36
Fulton County
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54.9
Henry County
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Louisa County
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Deep Dives

Warren County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Warren County

via TaxByCounty

Warren taxes slightly above national norm

Warren County's effective tax rate of 1.896% marginally exceeds the national median of 1.831%, placing it slightly above the U.S. average. The median property tax of $1,921 trails the national median of $2,690 by 29%, reflecting lower home values in the county.

Middle-range Illinois county for taxes

Warren County ranks around the midpoint of Illinois counties for effective tax rate at 1.896%, slightly above the state average of 1.831%. This positions Warren as a moderate-tax county relative to the rest of Illinois.

Higher rate than most nearby counties

Warren County's 1.896% rate exceeds Vermilion County (1.793%), Wabash County (1.471%), and Wayne County (1.526%). Despite modest home values ($101,300), Warren residents pay slightly more in property taxes than residents of most surrounding counties.

Median home costs roughly $1,921 yearly

A median-valued home in Warren County ($101,300) carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,921. This modest bill reflects both the lower home values and moderate tax rate.

Check if your assessment is fair

Warren County homeowners should verify their assessments, as overvaluation is common and appeals are free. A successful challenge could reduce your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Warren County

via IncomeByCounty

Warren County nearly matches national income

Warren County's median household income of $64,650 approaches the national median of $74,755, falling short by just $10,105. This moderate gap positions the county slightly below national averages but above most rural Illinois counties.

Solid middle-income rank within Illinois

At $64,650, Warren County earns $3,930 less than the Illinois state average of $68,580, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. Per capita income of $33,620 slightly lags the state average of $36,009, but households collectively perform respectably.

Mid-range income among regional peers

Warren's $64,650 median exceeds Stephenson ($61,943), Union ($56,420), Vermilion ($54,537), Wabash ($53,650), and Wayne ($53,107) but trails Tazewell ($76,704) and Washington ($75,652). The county occupies a balanced position regionally, neither leading nor trailing dramatically.

Housing most affordable among eight counties

Warren County's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the region's most affordable, indicating minimal housing stress for renters. Median home values of $101,300 are the lowest in the region, enabling strong equity-building potential for homeowners.

Leverage affordability for accelerated wealth gains

Warren County households earning $64,650 can allocate roughly $1,293 monthly to savings and investments. The combination of low housing costs and moderate incomes creates an ideal opportunity to build emergency reserves, invest in retirement accounts, and accumulate home equity efficiently.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Warren County

via CrimeByCounty

Warren County Navigates Moderate Crime

Warren County holds a safety score of 98.0, indicating a relatively secure environment for residents. Its total crime rate of 1,241.0 per 100,000 is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5.

Positioned Below Illinois Safety Averages

Warren's crime rate of 1,241.0 per 100,000 is higher than the Illinois state average of 835.0. It sits slightly below the state average safety score of 98.7, suggesting some local areas experience more frequent incidents.

Comparing Warren to Its Rural Neighbors

Warren experiences more property-related crime than neighboring Washington or Wayne. This is often typical for counties that serve as local commercial hubs for surrounding rural areas.

Property Crime Drives Local Incidents

Property crime is the most frequent issue, with 1,068.0 reports per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate of 173.0 is just slightly higher than the Illinois state average of 160.1.

Secure Your Property in Warren

With property crime being the main local concern, residents should prioritize securing entry points and outbuildings. Utilizing smart locks and outdoor lights can effectively discourage opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Warren County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler than the national average

Warren County averages 50.3°F annually, which is cooler than the national median temperature. It sees 39.2 inches of precipitation, slightly lower than the typical Illinois baseline.

Below the Illinois temperature average

The county's 50.3°F average sits 2.5 degrees below the state average of 52.8°F. This puts Warren in the colder half of the state, reflective of its west-central location.

Snowier than its southern peers

Warren County receives 25.6 inches of snow, more than double the amount seen in southern counties like Wayne. It shares a similar climate profile with northern neighbor Whiteside County, though it is slightly warmer.

Significant snowfall and crisp winters

Winters are cold with a January average of 22.6°F and over two feet of total annual snow. Summers are pleasant but brief, featuring only 19 days of extreme heat above 90°F.

Winterize for snow and cold

Heavier winter gear and snow removal equipment are essential for the 25.6 inches of annual snowfall. Residents should also ensure home insulation is sufficient for January temperatures that regularly dip into the low 20s.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Warren County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH in Western Illinois

Warren County features an average pH of 6.43, sitting slightly above the state average of 6.39. This falls just shy of the national median of 6.5, representing a healthy balance for nutrient availability. Most standard garden plants will thrive in this nearly neutral environment.

Silky Silt with High Moisture Retention

The composition is dominated by silt at 69.7%, with 22.7% clay and a very low 7.6% sand. This makes for a fine-textured soil that is incredibly smooth and holds water with high efficiency. However, the lack of sand means the soil is prone to compaction if worked while wet.

High Water Storage Despite Lower Organic Matter

The organic matter content is 2.40%, which is below the Illinois average of 2.94% but above the national average. Remarkably, the available water capacity is 0.216 in/in, significantly higher than the state average of 0.204 in/in. This soil is a reservoir for moisture, protecting plants during dry summer weeks.

Efficient Water Management in Silt

While drainage and hydrologic classes are not officially specified, the high available water capacity is a key trait of this land. The very high silt content suggests that water moves slowly but is held tightly by the soil particles. This makes it a reliable choice for crops that require steady hydration.

Diverse Potential in Zone 5b

Located in Zone 5b, Warren County is ideal for growing staple Midwestern vegetables like beans, squash, and potatoes. The high water capacity means you won't have to water your garden as often as in other regions. It is a great place to start a drought-resistant landscape or a productive home farm.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Warren County

via LawnByCounty

Warren County Tops Ease-of-Growth Charts

Warren County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 78.0, the highest in this group and well above the Illinois average of 69.8. This Zone 5b climate offers near-ideal conditions for maintaining a lush, low-stress lawn.

Mild Summers and Sufficient Rain

Only 19 extreme heat days and 39.2 inches of annual rain make for a temperate growing environment. With 3257 growing degree days, grass stays active without the burnout common in southern counties.

Consistent Soil for Sturdy Turf

The soil pH of 6.43 falls right in the 'sweet spot' for most grass species. While the sand content is low at 7.6%, the 22.7% clay content provides excellent nutrient-holding capacity for consistent color.

Favorable Resistance to Drought

Warren has seen 25 weeks in drought recently, but only 9.9% of the area is in severe drought. This suggests the local landscape is relatively resilient compared to neighbors experiencing 100% severe drought coverage.

Prime Window for Fall Seeding

With the first frost arriving October 15, August and September are perfect for overseeding with Fine Fescue or Bluegrass. Spring projects should wait until the final frost passes around April 22 to ensure survival.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warren County's county score?
Warren County, Illinois has a composite county score of 51.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Warren County rank among counties in Illinois?
Warren County ranks #64 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Warren County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Warren County is $1,903, with an effective tax rate of 1.81%. This earns Warren County a tax score of 4.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Warren County?
The median household income in Warren County, Illinois is $67,385 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Warren County earns an income score of 55.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Warren County, Illinois a good place to live?
Warren County scores 51.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #64 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Warren County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Warren County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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