Scott
Illinois

What stands out

If you had to describe Scott County in numbers, start here: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.1 years of income), the median home price is in the bottom 2% of American counties ($91K), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (5.0%). Within Illinois it ranks 2nd of 102 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Scott County, Illinois. 4,899 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -27).

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 $70,500 a year, higher than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,729. Unemployment runs 4.8%, higher than 86% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,490 a year.

Home

The median home costs $91K, cheaper than 98% of American counties, about 1.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $639 a month. Property tax is 1.54% of home value, roughly $1,463 a year on that median home, higher than 87% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.2 years, longer than 54% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 5.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.54 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 84% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 56 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 70% 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 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 55% of American counties. About 28 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 8 out of 100, safer than 92% of American counties; the county has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 58 Mbps down, slower than 97% of American counties.