Calhoun
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Calhoun County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is among the lowest in America ($424 a month), homeownership is among the highest in America (89%), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (4.8%). Within Illinois it ranks 1st of 102 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Calhoun County, Illinois. 4,472 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +19).

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 $88,059 a year, higher than 93% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $36,322. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 69% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,359 a year.

Home

The median home costs $196K, cheaper than 64% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $424 a month. Property tax is 1.57% of home value, roughly $2,531 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 89% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 4.5 per 10,000 people. 4.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.37 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 82% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 49 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 73% 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 56°F, highs near 66 and lows near 45, warmer than 50% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 4 out of 100, safer than 96% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 75 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.