Menard
Illinois

What stands out

Against every county in America, Menard County is unusual in three ways: the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.2 per 1,000), high-school completion is in the top 7% of American counties (95%), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (5.8%). Within Illinois it ranks 1st of 95 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Menard County, Illinois. 12,284 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -78).

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 $84,846 a year, higher than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,242. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 58% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,200 a year.

Home

The median home costs $210K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $698 a month. Property tax is 1.67% of home value, roughly $2,957 a year on that median home, higher than 91% of American counties. 80% 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 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.7 years, longer than 82% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 9.8 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, lower than 53% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 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 54°F, highs near 64 and lows near 43, colder than 59% of American counties. About 26 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 32 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 119 Mbps down, slower than 82% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.