Mercer
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Mercer County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the top 4% of American counties (1.97%) and the home price against local income is in the bottom 13% of American counties (1.6 years of income). Within Illinois it ranks 41st of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Mercer County, Illinois. 15,692 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +25).

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 $67,028 a year, higher than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,706. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 73% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,318 a year.

Home

The median home costs $169K, cheaper than 76% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $788 a month. Property tax is 1.97% of home value, roughly $2,579 a year on that median home, higher than 96% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 3.2 per 10,000 people. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.86 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 71% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 24 points. 74% 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 52°F, highs near 63 and lows near 41, colder than 66% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 24 out of 100, safer than 76% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 151 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.