Pope
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about Pope County: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 4% of American counties ($531 a month), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and homeownership is in the top 8% of American counties (83%). Within Illinois it ranks 4th of 102 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Pope County, Illinois. 3,799 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +6).

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 $57,582 a year, lower than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,535. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,850 a year.

Home

The median home costs $172K, cheaper than 75% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $531 a month. Property tax is 1.28% of home value, roughly $1,759 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 83% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.9 years, longer than 63% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 5.3 per 10,000 people. 6.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 71% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 59 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% 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 58°F, highs near 68 and lows near 48, warmer than 60% of American counties. About 51 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 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 169 Mbps down, slower than 63% of American counties.