Jackson
Illinois

What stands out

If you had to describe Jackson County in numbers, start here: homeownership is among the lowest in America (48%), the property tax rate is in the top 4% of American counties (1.94%), and the school test score is in the bottom 8% of American counties (2.55 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Illinois it ranks 1st of 102 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Jackson County, Illinois. 53,176 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -549).

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 $44,847 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,398. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 75% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,220 a year.

Home

The median home costs $133K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $800 a month. Property tax is 1.94% of home value, roughly $2,391 a year on that median home, higher than 96% of American counties. 48% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 53% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 27 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% of American counties. There are 236 active physicians in the county, about 44.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.54 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 92% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 50% 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 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 47, warmer than 57% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 85 out of 100, riskier than 85% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 191 Mbps down, slower than 54% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.