Henderson
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Henderson County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the top 2% of American counties (86%), the home price against local income is in the bottom 3% of American counties (1.2 years of income), and the school test score is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.39 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Illinois it ranks 2nd of 102 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Henderson County, Illinois. 6,374 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -40).

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 $64,946 a year, higher than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $37,040. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 70% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,215 a year.

Home

The median home costs $125K, cheaper than 92% of American counties, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $730 a month. Property tax is 1.73% of home value, roughly $1,728 a year on that median home, higher than 92% of American counties. 86% 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 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.3 years, longer than 55% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.6 per 10,000 people. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.51 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 96% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 33 points. 66% 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 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 42, colder than 64% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 10 out of 100, safer than 90% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 125 Mbps down, slower than 80% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.