Brown
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about Brown County: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 6% of American counties (6 of 100), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%). Within Illinois it ranks 11th of 102 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Brown County, Illinois. 6,334 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -17).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,760 a year, higher than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,340. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 91% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,206 a year.

Home

The median home costs $159K, cheaper than 81% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $805 a month. Property tax is 1.54% of home value, roughly $1,876 a year on that median home, higher than 87% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 54% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.2 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 3.2 per 10,000 people. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 67% of American counties. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 57 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 47% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 54°F, highs near 65 and lows near 43, colder than 57% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 6 out of 100, safer than 94% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 91 Mbps down, slower than 90% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation.