Jo Daviess
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about Jo Daviess County: the property tax rate is in the top 5% of American counties (1.88%), life expectancy is in the top 6% of American counties (80.7 years), and the school test score is in the top 8% of American counties (3.42 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Illinois it ranks 49th of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. 21,942 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +45).

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 $67,729 a year, higher than 69% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,804. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 60% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,353 a year.

Home

The median home costs $254K, pricier than 57% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $778 a month. Property tax is 1.88% of home value, roughly $3,370 a year on that median home, higher than 95% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.7 years, longer than 94% of American counties. There are 20 active physicians in the county, about 9.1 per 10,000 people. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.25 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 92% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 17 points. 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 49°F, highs near 60 and lows near 38, colder than 78% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 44 out of 100, safer than 55% of American counties; the county has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 220 Mbps down, faster than 59% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 museums.