McLean
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about McLean County: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.31%), high-school completion is in the top 3% of American counties (96%), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%). Within Illinois it ranks 12th of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in McLean County, Illinois. 171,284 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,426).

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 $75,356 a year, higher than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $66,183. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 55% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,730 a year.

Home

The median home costs $260K, pricier than 59% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $991 a month. Property tax is 2.31% of home value, roughly $4,411 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 80% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.0 years, longer than 84% of American counties. There are 367 active physicians in the county, about 21.4 per 10,000 people. 5.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 60% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 4 points. 67% 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 64 and lows near 42, colder than 62% of American counties. About 27 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 81 out of 100, riskier than 81% of American counties; the county has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 222 Mbps down, faster than 60% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries.