Effingham
Illinois

What stands out

If you had to describe Effingham County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (328 Mbps), the average commute is in the bottom 8% of American counties (16 minutes), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%). Within Illinois it ranks 1st of 102 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Effingham County, Illinois. 34,594 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +10).

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 $73,181 a year, higher than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,064. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 66% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,622 a year.

Home

The median home costs $220K, cheaper than 56% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $730 a month. Property tax is 1.60% of home value, roughly $2,673 a year on that median home, higher than 89% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.4 years, longer than 69% of American counties. There are 95 active physicians in the county, about 27.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 57% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 59 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% 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 55°F, highs near 65 and lows near 45, colder than 52% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 63% of American counties; the county has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 328 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.