Whiteside
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Whiteside County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the top 3% of American counties (2.14%), the home price against local income is in the bottom 11% of American counties (1.5 years of income), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 14% of American counties (6.4%). Within Illinois it ranks 22nd of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Whiteside County, Illinois. 55,569 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +112).

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 $62,828 a year, higher than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,164. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 71% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,110 a year.

Home

The median home costs $147K, cheaper than 85% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $786 a month. Property tax is 2.14% of home value, roughly $2,612 a year on that median home, higher than 97% of American counties. 74% 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 9 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.6 years, longer than 60% of American counties. There are 60 active physicians in the county, about 10.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 6.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.12 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 50% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 8 points. 65% 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 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 70% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 56 out of 100, riskier than 56% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 188 Mbps down, slower than 55% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.