Winnebago
Illinois

What stands out

Three things set Winnebago County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (2.60%), unemployment is in the top 5% of American counties (5.8%), and the school test score is in the bottom 6% of American counties (2.48 where 3.0 is grade level). Within Illinois it ranks 4th of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Winnebago County, Illinois. 284,591 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,144).

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 $61,738 a year, higher than 54% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,400. Unemployment runs 5.8%, higher than 95% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,056 a year.

Home

The median home costs $210K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $949 a month. Property tax is 2.60% of home value, roughly $3,812 a year on that median home, higher than almost every county in America. 66% 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. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.3 years, shorter than 57% of American counties. There are 797 active physicians in the county, about 28.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.7 of 5 stars. 8.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.50 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 94% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted almost evenly. 62% 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 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 39, colder than 76% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 90 out of 100, riskier than 90% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 10 museums.