Effingham County

Effingham County, IL, has a population of approximately 34,000. The racial composition is predominantly White (97.6%), with small percentages of Black or African American (0.5%), Asian (0.6%), and other races making up the remainder. The median household income is around $59,000, and 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Effingham is known for its agricultural economy and has a median age of 41. The county spans about 480 square miles, with a population density of roughly 71 people per square mile.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau data (most recent statistics).

As of the latest data, Effingham County, IL, has a median home value of approximately $135,000. The median household income is around $60,000. The homeownership rate stands at about 75%, with rental properties making up the remaining 25%. Average monthly rent is roughly $700 to $900. The area has a low vacancy rate, indicating a stable housing market. Effingham itself, the county seat, features a mix of historic homes and new developments.

Effingham County, IL's election data as of the last cycle includes various local, state, and federal offices. For local elections, key races typically feature candidates for County Board seats, the Sheriff, and County Clerk among others. In 2022, notable races included:

• County Sheriff's race, with candidates Paul Kuhns (Republican) and Tony Sparks (Independent).
• 5 County Board seats were contested, with a mix of incumbents and newcomers.

For federal representation:

• In the U.S. House of Representatives Illinois 15th District, Mary Miller (Republican) won with 66% of the vote (132,386 votes) against Paul Lange (Democrat).

Turnout:

• Of approximately 25,000 registered voters in Effingham County, around 18,000 cast ballots, equating to a 72% turnout rate.

State races included:

• Governor, with Darren Bailey (Republican) earning a significant majority in the county over J.B. Pritzker (Democrat).

This overview encompasses key races and voter participation metrics indicative of Effingham County's political landscape.

Effingham County, IL shows diverse educational attainment. According to recent data:

• High School Graduation Rate: Approximately 91.2% of residents have completed high school, compared to the national average of around 88% and the Illinois state average of 89%.
• College Degrees: About 22.6% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is below the national average of 32.1% and the Illinois state average of 34.1%.

Overall, Effingham County has a higher high school graduation rate than both the national and state averages but lags behind in higher education attainment.

Effingham County, IL has a diverse employment landscape. As of recent data:

Unemployment Rate:

• Effingham County: Approximately 3.8%
• National Average: Around 4.8%
• Illinois State Average: About 4.6%

Top Industries:

1. Manufacturing: 24%

   • Higher than the national average of about 8.5%
   • Higher than the Illinois average of around 12%

2. Retail Trade: 13%

   • Close to the national average of approximately 10%
   • Comparable to the Illinois average of around 11%

3. Health Care and Social Assistance: 12%

   • Close to the national average of 14%
   • Similar to the Illinois average of about 13%

4. Transportation and Warehousing: 10%

   • Above the national average of around 3%
   • Higher than the Illinois average of about 6%

Effingham County has a notable manufacturing presence, significantly above national and state averages, reflecting its strong industrial base.

Effingham County, IL, has a median household income of approximately $58,000. In comparison, the national median household income is around $67,000, and the Illinois state median is about $69,000. This indicates that Effingham County's median income is below both the national and state averages.

Income Comparison Table

This stark difference highlights regional economic disparities and can impact local economic development and quality of life in Effingham County compared to broader averages.

As of the latest available data, Effingham County, IL, has been characterized by moderate crime rates compared to national averages. Here are the crime statistics for the county:

Effingham County maintains a lower violent crime rate than the national average but has higher property crime incidences. These figures help provide a comprehensive understanding of the safety and crime dynamics within the county.