Hardin
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Hardin County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 3% of American counties ($480 a month), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Illinois it ranks 1st of 102 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hardin County, Illinois. 3,665 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +56).

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 $53,026 a year, lower than 72% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,177. Unemployment runs 5.1%, higher than 91% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,625 a year.

Home

The median home costs $114K, cheaper than 95% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $480 a month. Property tax is 1.16% of home value, roughly $1,049 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 80% 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 72.5 years, shorter than 84% of American counties. There are 7 active physicians in the county, about 19.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 5.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.77 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 87% 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. 65% 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 58°F, highs near 67 and lows near 48, warmer than 59% of American counties. About 50 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 11 out of 100, safer than 89% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 181 Mbps down, slower than 58% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.