McDonough
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about McDonough County: the median home price is in the bottom 3% of American counties ($100K), the property tax rate is in the top 3% of American counties (2.13%), 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 9th of 102 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in McDonough County, Illinois. 27,370 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -29).

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 $48,904 a year, lower than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,433. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 73% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 18 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,421 a year.

Home

The median home costs $100K, cheaper than 97% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $756 a month. Property tax is 2.13% of home value, roughly $2,135 a year on that median home, higher than 97% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.3 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 34 active physicians in the county, about 12.4 per 10,000 people. 7.9% 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. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 17 points. 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 53°F, highs near 63 and lows near 42, colder than 63% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 31 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 193 Mbps down, slower than 53% of American counties. There are 2 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.