Shelby
Illinois

What stands out

Against every county in America, Shelby County is unusual in three ways: the uninsured rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (5.6%), the property tax rate is in the top 13% of American counties (1.56%), and high-school completion is in the top 13% of American counties (94%). Within Illinois it ranks 15th of 102 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Shelby County, Illinois. 21,042 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -34).

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 $65,585 a year, higher than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,311. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 71% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,246 a year.

Home

The median home costs $168K, cheaper than 77% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $807 a month. Property tax is 1.56% of home value, roughly $1,948 a year on that median home, higher than 87% of American counties. 79% 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 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.2 years, longer than 67% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 4.3 per 10,000 people. 5.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.33 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 82% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 57 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 72% 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 65 and lows near 44, colder than 55% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 33 out of 100, safer than 67% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 120 Mbps down, slower than 82% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.