Jo Daviess County

Jo Daviess County is located in the far northwestern corner of Illinois, bordering Wisconsin to the north and Iowa across the Mississippi River to the west. Part of the state’s Driftless Area, it is known for rugged, unglaciated terrain with rolling hills, steep river bluffs, and small valleys, contrasting with much of Illinois’ flatter interior. The county was established in the early 19th century during regional lead-mining development and later became tied to agriculture and river-based trade. Today it is a small county by population, characterized by rural communities and low-density settlement. The local economy includes agriculture, small-scale manufacturing and services, and tourism connected to historic towns and outdoor recreation. Cultural identity is shaped by Upper Mississippi River Valley and Midwest influences, with a strong presence of historic architecture and preserved main streets. The county seat is Galena, a prominent historic community and regional service center.

Jo Daviess County is in the far northwest corner of Illinois, bordering Iowa and Wisconsin, and includes the Galena area within the Driftless Region. For local government and planning resources, visit the Jo Daviess County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Jo Daviess County, Illinois, the county’s population was 22,035 (2020) and 21,875 (2023 estimate).

Age & Gender

The most current county-level age and sex distributions are published by the U.S. Census Bureau as part of the American Community Survey (ACS). In the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Jo Daviess County (ACS 5-year measures), the following indicators are reported:

• Age distribution (summary)

  • Under 18 years: reported in QuickFacts (ACS 5-year)
  • 65 years and over: reported in QuickFacts (ACS 5-year)
  • Median age: reported in QuickFacts (ACS 5-year)

• Gender ratio

  • Female persons, percent: reported in QuickFacts (ACS 5-year)

(QuickFacts provides these as percentages; the authoritative values are listed in the linked profile table.)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County-level racial and ethnic composition is published in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile (ACS 5-year measures and decennial census context). Categories reported include:

• Race (selected categories): White; Black or African American; American Indian and Alaska Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander; Two or More Races
• Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
• Nativity/language (selected): Foreign born and language other than English spoken at home

(QuickFacts presents these as percentages; the definitive county figures are listed in the linked profile table.)

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing characteristics for Jo Daviess County are reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile (ACS 5-year measures), including:

• Households and persons

  • Households (count)
  • Persons per household
  • Owner-occupied housing unit rate
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units
  • Median selected monthly owner costs (with mortgage; without mortgage)
  • Median gross rent

• Housing stock

  • Housing units (count)
  • Building permits (as reported in QuickFacts, where available)

All household and housing values above are provided as county-level statistics in the linked Census Bureau profile.

Jo Daviess County’s hilly Driftless Area terrain and predominantly rural settlement pattern lower population density, increasing per-household network buildout costs and contributing to uneven digital connectivity that affects email access and reliability.

Direct county-level email usage rates are not generally published; broadband and device adoption are common proxies for the capacity to use email, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau data portal (American Community Survey). In Jo Daviess County, ACS indicators such as household broadband subscriptions and access to a computer (desktop/laptop/tablet) summarize the baseline ability to maintain email accounts and use webmail or client applications.

Age structure also influences email adoption: older populations tend to maintain email for essential communications but may have lower overall adoption of newer digital channels. County age distributions from the Jo Daviess County ACS profile provide the relevant context.

Gender distribution is typically near parity and is not a primary driver of email access relative to broadband/device availability.

Connectivity constraints are reflected in availability gaps for high-speed service in rural areas, documented in the FCC National Broadband Map.

Jo Daviess County is in the far northwest corner of Illinois, bordering both Iowa and Wisconsin. The county is predominantly rural, with small cities and villages separated by agricultural land and the rugged, hilly topography of the Driftless Area. These characteristics—low population density, dispersed settlement patterns, and terrain that can obstruct radio propagation—tend to produce more variable mobile coverage than in metro areas, particularly away from U.S./state highways and town centers. Population and housing context is available from the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Jo Daviess County.

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability describes where mobile providers report service (coverage) and what technologies are deployed (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G).
Household adoption describes whether residents actually subscribe to and use mobile service and/or mobile broadband, and whether they rely on mobile as their primary internet connection.

County-level adoption and county-level coverage are measured by different programs and are not always directly comparable.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (household adoption)

County-level subscription indicators (most comparable public sources)

• Household internet subscription by type (including cellular data plans): The most widely used public dataset for local adoption is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), which includes a measure for whether a household has an internet subscription and whether that subscription includes a cellular data plan. These tables are accessed through data.census.gov (ACS 5-year tables on “Internet Subscription” and “Types of Computers and Internet Subscriptions”).
  • Limitation: ACS estimates are survey-based and reported with margins of error, and the county-level detail is typically most reliable using 5-year estimates rather than 1-year.
• Device availability in households (desktop/laptop/tablet/smartphone): ACS also provides household measures for computing devices, including smartphones, which can be used as an access indicator alongside subscription type (also via data.census.gov).
  • Limitation: ACS measures devices “in the household” and does not directly measure individual ownership, prepaid churn, or the quality of mobile service.

Mobile-only reliance (contextual indicator)

• ACS includes “cellular data plan” subscriptions, which is commonly used by researchers to approximate mobile internet reliance when paired with whether a household lacks a fixed broadband subscription.
  • Limitation: the ACS does not measure speeds, data caps, or whether the cellular connection is 4G/5G.

Mobile internet usage patterns and technology availability (4G/5G)

Reported availability (coverage) sources

• FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC): The FCC publishes provider-reported broadband availability, including mobile broadband. This is the primary federal source for where providers claim service and the technologies offered. The FCC’s map and associated datasets are available via the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • What it shows: reported mobile broadband availability by provider and technology, typically presented as coverage layers rather than adoption.
  • Limitation: coverage reflects provider filings and may differ from on-the-ground experience; updates occur on a filing cycle.
• Illinois broadband mapping and planning: The state’s broadband office and mapping resources provide context and complementary planning materials for broadband (including wireless in some discussions). Illinois information is available through the Illinois Office of Broadband (Connect Illinois).
  • Limitation: state materials often emphasize fixed broadband; mobile coverage detail is usually best sourced from the FCC map.

4G LTE vs. 5G in rural counties (what is typically observable in maps, without inferring adoption)

• 4G LTE: In rural Illinois counties, 4G LTE is generally the most consistently reported mobile broadband layer across large areas, with stronger continuity along highways and within/near towns. This pattern is best verified locally by comparing provider layers in the FCC National Broadband Map.
• 5G: 5G availability in rural counties often appears in a more patchwork pattern than LTE, reflecting deployment concentrated in more populated nodes and travel corridors. County-specific 5G presence and its extent should be taken directly from the FCC’s provider-specific 5G layers rather than inferred from statewide averages.
  • Limitation: the FCC map indicates availability, not typical performance; 5G can include different frequency bands with very different coverage footprints.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

Household device composition (county-level, ACS)

• The ACS provides county-level estimates for households with:

  • Smartphone
  • Tablet or other portable wireless computer
  • Desktop or laptop
  • No computer

  These measures are available through data.census.gov (ACS “Computers and Internet Use” tables).

  • Interpretation: In rural counties, smartphones are commonly the most universal internet-capable device in households, while desktops/laptops can vary with income, age composition, and education. The ACS is the appropriate source for confirming Jo Daviess County’s device mix.
  • Limitation: ACS devices are reported at the household level; it does not distinguish between multiple smartphones per household, phone age, or operating system share.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography, settlement pattern, and terrain

• Low density and dispersed housing: Rural settlement patterns increase the cost per user of tower and backhaul infrastructure, which commonly results in larger coverage areas per site and more coverage variability between towns and open countryside. County density and housing distribution context is available in Census QuickFacts.
• Hilly Driftless terrain: Jo Daviess County’s uneven topography can reduce line-of-sight and create localized weak-signal areas compared with flatter regions, particularly indoors and in valleys. Terrain effects are not directly quantified in federal subscription datasets; they are typically reflected indirectly in coverage maps and field measurements.

Transportation corridors and town centers

• Mobile coverage in rural areas commonly tracks highway corridors and population centers where demand is concentrated and siting/backhaul is more feasible. This pattern is evaluated by comparing mobile availability layers against local geography in the FCC National Broadband Map rather than through adoption surveys.

Age, income, and housing characteristics (adoption drivers)

• Older age structure and seasonal housing: Rural counties with older populations and higher shares of seasonal or second homes can exhibit different subscription patterns (e.g., lower fixed broadband take-up in some segments, higher reliance on mobile-only in others). County demographic and housing characteristics should be drawn from the ACS via data.census.gov.
  • Limitation: direct county-level “mobile-only” behavioral measures (primary reliance, heavy mobile streaming, hotspot dependence) are not robustly published in a single official dataset; ACS provides proxies through subscription type.
• Cost sensitivity and plan choice: Household income distribution influences whether households maintain both fixed and mobile broadband, or rely on a cellular data plan. The ACS supports county-level comparisons between income and subscription types (via data.census.gov), but it does not provide detailed plan pricing, data caps, or provider churn.

What can be stated with high confidence vs. what is limited at county level

• High confidence (source-based):
  • Network availability layers for 4G/5G are available from the FCC National Broadband Map (availability, not adoption).
  • Household internet subscription types, including cellular data plans, and household device types (including smartphones) are available for Jo Daviess County through data.census.gov (adoption proxies with margins of error).
  • Rurality, population, and housing context is documented in Census QuickFacts.
• Limited or not reliably available as county-specific public statistics:
  • Precise mobile penetration as “percentage of individuals with a mobile subscription” at the county level (carrier administrative metrics are not generally published at county granularity).
  • County-specific breakdowns of actual 4G vs. 5G usage share (device telemetry and carrier usage statistics are typically proprietary).
  • Fine-grained indoor coverage and real-world performance distributions by neighborhood (requires measurement campaigns or crowdsourced datasets that are not standardized official statistics).

Practical way the county is typically profiled using public data (availability vs adoption)

• Availability: Use the FCC National Broadband Map to document where mobile broadband is reported available in Jo Daviess County and which providers report 4G LTE and 5G.
• Adoption: Use ACS tables on data.census.gov to document:
  • Share of households with any internet subscription
  • Share of households with a cellular data plan
  • Share of households with smartphones (and other device types)
  • Cross-tabs or comparisons with income/age/housing characteristics for adoption context

This approach keeps coverage (availability) clearly separated from household subscription and device adoption, and it relies on the principal public, county-resolvable sources used in U.S. broadband and connectivity reporting.

Jo Daviess County is in the far northwest corner of Illinois, anchored by Galena and smaller communities such as East Dubuque and Elizabeth. The county’s rural geography, tourism economy (notably historic Galena), and proximity to the Iowa–Wisconsin tri-state area shape media habits toward community-oriented information sharing and mobile-first usage typical of non-metro areas.

User statistics (penetration/active use)

• Local (county-specific) social media penetration: No reputable, regularly updated public dataset reports county-level social media “active user” penetration for Jo Daviess County specifically.
• Best-available benchmarks used to approximate local context:
  • U.S. adult social media use: About 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media, according to Pew Research Center’s Social Media Fact Sheet.
  • Rural vs. urban pattern: Adults in rural areas report lower social media adoption than urban/suburban adults in Pew’s breakdowns (rural adoption remains a majority, but trails urban/suburban), per the same Pew Research Center social media dataset.
  • Internet access constraint: Social media use is bounded by broadband/device access; county-level connectivity context is available from the FCC National Broadband Map (coverage varies by location, with rural pockets typically showing more limited provider choice).

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Based on nationally representative findings from Pew Research Center, the dominant pattern is:

• Highest use: Adults 18–29 (highest penetration across platforms overall).
• Next highest: Adults 30–49 (strong majority usage).
• Lower but substantial: Adults 50–64 (majority usage, but lower than younger adults).
• Lowest: Adults 65+ (lowest penetration, with particularly sharp drop-offs on newer/visual platforms). County implication: Jo Daviess County’s older age structure typical of many rural Midwestern counties tends to pull overall penetration downward relative to younger metro counties, while intensifying usage of platforms that support local/community information exchange.

Gender breakdown

County-level gender splits are not published in a standardized way for Jo Daviess County, but national patterns from Pew Research Center indicate:

• Women generally report higher usage than men on several platforms associated with social interaction and community sharing (notably Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest).
• Men are more likely to use certain discussion- or news-adjacent platforms in some surveys (patterns vary by platform and year). Overall, gender gaps exist but are typically smaller than age effects for total social media use.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

No authoritative county-level platform-share estimates are publicly available for Jo Daviess County; the most defensible approach is to reference national platform reach as a benchmark, from Pew Research Center:

• YouTube: used by about 8 in 10 U.S. adults (widest reach).
• Facebook: used by roughly 2 in 3 U.S. adults (broadest “social network” reach; especially common for local groups and events).
• Instagram: used by about half of U.S. adults (skews younger).
• Pinterest: used by roughly one-third (higher among women).
• TikTok: used by roughly one-third (strongly concentrated among younger adults).
• LinkedIn: used by about 1 in 4 (skews higher education/income; more career-oriented).
• X (formerly Twitter): used by about 1 in 5 (news and real-time updates niche).
• Reddit: used by about 1 in 5 (discussion forum niche; skews younger/male). County implication: In rural and small-city contexts like Jo Daviess County, Facebook and YouTube generally function as the highest-coverage platforms for local reach, with Instagram and TikTok more concentrated among younger residents and visitors/tourism content.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Community information utility: In smaller communities, social media activity tends to cluster around local groups, event posts, school/community updates, and marketplace-style exchanges, which aligns with Facebook’s group and local-event features (consistent with rural/community-use patterns summarized in Pew’s platform use reporting even when not measured at the county level).
• Video-first consumption: With YouTube’s high national reach, how-to, local attractions, and short entertainment video consumption is typically a major share of usage time; short-form video growth aligns with broader trends documented in Pew Research Center platform tracking.
• Age-skewed engagement:
  • Younger adults (18–29): heavier use of Instagram/TikTok, higher posting frequency and short-form video engagement.
  • Older adults (50+): heavier reliance on Facebook for local updates and interpersonal connection, lower adoption of newer platforms.
• Tourism content effect (Galena area): Tourism-oriented destinations commonly see outsized engagement with visual platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) around seasonal events, lodging, dining, and historic sites, while residents maintain steadier use of Facebook for ongoing community information.

Jo Daviess County, Illinois, maintains several family and associate-related public records through county offices and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Vital records (birth and death) are generally administered at the state level; certified copies are issued by IDPH and, for some events, by local vital records offices. Marriage records are recorded by the Jo Daviess County Clerk, including marriage licenses and related indexes. Divorce records are filed in the Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk’s office as part of civil case records. Adoption records are not treated as open public records in Illinois and are generally restricted by statute and court order.

Public-facing databases are limited. Court case information for participating counties may be available through the Illinois e-Access platform, while official certified copies are obtained from the originating office rather than from searchable public registries.

Access methods include in-person and mail requests through the relevant custodian: the Jo Daviess County Clerk (marriage records and local recordkeeping), the Jo Daviess County Circuit Clerk (court files such as divorces), and IDPH for Illinois vital records. General county office contact and hours are published on the Jo Daviess County website.

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to birth records, adoption proceedings, and portions of court files (sealed, juvenile, or confidential information). Certified copies typically require identity verification and fees set by the issuing office.

Types of records available

• Marriage license and marriage certificate (vital record)
  Jo Daviess County issues marriage licenses and maintains county-level marriage records for marriages licensed in the county. Illinois treats marriage records as vital records; a “marriage license” is the authorization to marry and the returned, completed license becomes the basis for the recorded marriage.

• Divorce records (court record and, in some cases, a vital record extract)
  Divorces are recorded as court case files in the circuit court. The court record typically includes the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage (final decree) and related filings. Illinois also has state-level vital records related to divorces, but certified court documents come from the circuit court that handled the case.

• Annulments (declaration of invalidity)
  In Illinois, annulment is generally handled as a court proceeding for a Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage and is maintained as a circuit court case file similar to divorce, with an order/judgment reflecting the court’s disposition.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records

  • Filed/maintained by: Jo Daviess County Clerk (marriage licenses and county marriage records).
  • Access methods: Requests for certified copies are typically handled by the County Clerk’s office using the county’s vital records request procedures (in person, by mail, and sometimes through authorized vendors, depending on current office practice).
  • State-level reference: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records maintains statewide vital record systems, including marriage records; county-issued certified copies generally come from the county where the license was issued.

• Divorce and annulment records

  • Filed/maintained by: Jo Daviess County Circuit Court (15th Judicial Circuit) through the Circuit Clerk, as part of the official court case file.
  • Access methods: Copies of judgments/decrees and other case documents are requested from the Circuit Clerk. Basic case information may be available through Illinois court record systems (availability varies by case type and date), while certified copies of orders/judgments are issued by the clerk of the court that entered them.

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license / marriage record

  • Full legal names of the parties
  • Date and place of marriage (as recorded upon return of the completed license)
  • Date the license was issued and the officiant’s certification/return
  • Ages and/or dates of birth, and places of residence (as captured on the application/record)
  • Names of witnesses may appear depending on the form and filing practices

• Divorce decree (Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage) / court file

  • Names of the parties and the court case caption and number
  • Date of filing and date of judgment
  • Findings that a dissolution was granted and the effective date of termination of the marriage
  • Terms of the judgment, often including property and debt allocation, maintenance (spousal support), child-related provisions (allocation of parental responsibilities/parenting time), child support, and other orders
  • Related filings can include petitions/complaints, summons/service returns, motions, financial affidavits, and parenting plans, subject to sealing/redaction rules

• Annulment (Declaration of Invalidity) order / court file

  • Names of the parties and case identifiers
  • Date and basis on which the marriage was declared invalid under Illinois law
  • Any associated orders addressing property, support, or child-related issues where applicable

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Vital record restrictions (marriage records):
  Illinois restricts issuance of certified vital records to persons with a direct, tangible interest and others authorized by law. County clerks and IDPH apply identity and eligibility requirements for certified copies. Genealogical or informational copies, when available, follow state and local rules and may exclude sensitive data.

• Court record access limits (divorce/annulment):
  Illinois court records are generally public, but access can be limited by:

  • Sealed or impounded records by court order (common for sensitive matters)
  • Confidential information rules requiring redaction or restricting disclosure of certain personal identifiers and protected information
  • Juvenile or child-related protections that may limit access to specific filings or exhibits Certified copies of judgments and certain filings are typically available through the Circuit Clerk unless restricted by statute, rule, or court order.

• Identity and fraud controls:
  Both vital records offices and court clerks commonly require identification and fees for certified copies, and may limit the information released in non-certified formats to prevent misuse of personal data.

Jo Daviess County is in far northwestern Illinois along the Mississippi River, bordering Iowa and Wisconsin. The county seat is Galena, and the county is characterized by small towns, rural areas, and a significant tourism and outdoor‑recreation economy centered on Galena and the Driftless Area landscape. Population is relatively older than statewide averages, and settlement patterns are dispersed outside a few incorporated communities.

Education Indicators

Public schools (district structure and school names)

Jo Daviess County public K–12 education is primarily delivered through multiple small districts serving Galena and surrounding communities. A consolidated, authoritative list of all public schools and official school names is best taken from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) “Report Card” directory and district profiles (school rosters vary by year due to consolidations and grade‑center configurations). Use the ISBE directory and district report cards for current school counts and names: Illinois Report Card (ISBE).
Proxy note: A countywide “number of public schools” is not consistently published as a single figure in a static county profile; ISBE’s directory is the most current source for school counts and names.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Graduation rate: Public high school graduation rates are reported at the district and high‑school level (not as a single fixed county statistic) on the ISBE Illinois Report Card. In Jo Daviess County, high schools are generally small, and rates can fluctuate year‑to‑year due to cohort size. The most recent cohort graduation rate for each high school is available via the ISBE report cards: ISBE graduation and completion metrics.
• Student–teacher ratio: ISBE report cards provide staffing and enrollment figures that allow calculation of ratios at the school/district level. A single countywide ratio is not reported as a standard indicator; district‑level staffing and enrollment are the appropriate proxy: ISBE staffing and enrollment.

Adult educational attainment

Adult education levels for Jo Daviess County are available through the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are typically reported as:

• High school graduate or higher (age 25+): County share is high relative to many U.S. counties, reflecting broad secondary completion.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): County share is moderate and varies by community (generally higher in and around Galena than in more rural tracts).
  The most recent ACS county estimates are available via data.census.gov (ACS Educational Attainment).
  Data note: Exact percentages should be taken directly from the latest ACS 1‑year/5‑year release displayed on data.census.gov for Jo Daviess County to ensure the most current values.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: District high schools commonly report AP participation, dual credit, and college/career readiness indicators through ISBE’s report card metrics and “College and Career Readiness” sections: ISBE College and Career Readiness.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Illinois CTE participation and program areas are reported at the district/school level; rural districts often partner regionally for specialized vocational offerings. District‑level CTE indicators are typically reflected in ISBE program reporting and regional education partnerships.
• STEM: STEM coursework offerings are generally documented within district curricula and, in some cases, reflected indirectly through course participation and assessment reporting rather than a single county STEM program inventory.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Illinois districts report safety and student support resources through district policies and, in some cases, report card elements (student support personnel counts may be available through staffing categories). Common measures in Illinois public schools include controlled entry procedures, visitor management, emergency response protocols (drills aligned with state requirements), and access to school social workers/counselors depending on district size and staffing. The most consistent public reference points are district policy manuals and ISBE staffing/reporting pages: ISBE staffing categories and district context.
Proxy note: A standardized countywide inventory of safety hardware, SRO presence, and counseling ratios is not typically published as a single Jo Daviess County indicator; these are district‑specific.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

County unemployment is most consistently tracked through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS) and state labor market products. Jo Daviess County’s unemployment rate is available as monthly and annual averages; the latest annual average is the most stable “most recent year” metric. Refer to:

• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) labor market information
  Data note: Published unemployment varies seasonally due to tourism and service‑sector patterns; annual averages provide the clearest comparison.

Major industries and employment sectors

Jo Daviess County’s employment base reflects a rural county with a sizable visitor economy:

• Accommodation and food services, arts/entertainment/recreation, and retail trade (notably in and around Galena, tied to tourism).
• Health care and social assistance (regional clinics, long‑term care, and support services).
• Manufacturing and construction (smaller‑scale plants/shops and trades serving local and regional markets).
• Educational services and public administration (local government and school districts).
• Agriculture and related services remain present, though modern farm employment counts are typically smaller than land use significance suggests.
  The most comparable sector shares are available from the Census “Industry by Occupation” tables and commuting/flow datasets on data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational patterns typically include:

• Service occupations (food service, hospitality, personal care) linked to tourism and local services.
• Healthcare support and practitioner roles (a common rural growth area).
• Sales and office occupations (retail, administrative support).
• Construction and extraction; installation/maintenance/repair (trades).
• Management, business, and education roles (smaller absolute counts but important locally).
  The most recent occupational distributions are available via ACS occupation tables on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commute mode: Personal vehicle commuting dominates, consistent with rural development patterns and limited fixed‑route transit coverage.
• Mean travel time to work: Reported by ACS for Jo Daviess County; rural counties commonly show mean commute times in the ~20–30 minute range, with variability driven by cross‑county commuting and job concentration in nearby hubs. The definitive county mean is available in ACS “Travel Time to Work” tables: ACS commuting time and mode share.
  Proxy note: Use the latest ACS estimate as the authoritative “mean commute time” figure.

Local employment versus out‑of‑county work

A substantial share of residents work outside the county, reflecting limited local job density and proximity to employment centers in neighboring counties and across state lines (Iowa/Wisconsin). The most direct measures come from:

• LEHD/OnTheMap origin–destination data (inflow/outflow of workers): U.S. Census OnTheMap (LEHD)
• ACS “Place of Work” and commuting flow indicators (where available): ACS work location and commuting characteristics.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Homeownership is typically high in rural Illinois counties, with a larger owner‑occupied share outside Galena and other small towns, and a higher rental/vacation‑rental presence closer to tourism nodes. The authoritative owner/renter split for Jo Daviess County is published in ACS housing tenure tables: ACS housing tenure (owner vs. renter).

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Reported by ACS as median value of owner‑occupied housing units. Jo Daviess County values are influenced by Galena’s historic housing stock and second‑home demand; medians can trend above many rural peers in the region. Retrieve the latest median value and year‑over‑year change proxy from ACS: ACS median home value (owner‑occupied).
• Trend proxy: ACS multi‑year comparisons and local assessed value changes provide the most consistent non‑commercial trend indicators. County assessment offices and Illinois property tax summaries provide complementary context: Illinois Department of Revenue property tax resources.
  Data note: “Recent trends” are best expressed as ACS multi‑period changes (e.g., 5‑year estimate comparisons) rather than short‑term sales indices, which are less stable in low‑volume rural markets.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported in ACS; this captures contract rent plus utilities where included. Retrieve the latest county median gross rent from: ACS median gross rent.
  Proxy note: Asking rents can differ materially from ACS medians in tourism‑influenced submarkets and in areas with short‑term rentals.

Types of housing

• Single‑family detached homes dominate outside town centers.
• Older housing stock is common, including historic properties in Galena and nearby communities.
• Apartments and small multifamily units are concentrated in incorporated areas; overall multifamily share is typically lower than statewide metro areas.
• Rural lots and farmsteads are a significant part of the housing landscape, with septic/well infrastructure more common outside municipal service areas.
  ACS “Units in Structure” tables provide the county distribution by housing type: ACS units in structure.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Galena and other incorporated areas: Greater proximity to schools, healthcare, retail, and civic services; more walkable pockets in historic downtown areas.
• Unincorporated/rural areas: Larger parcels, greater travel distances to schools and amenities, and higher reliance on personal vehicles.
  Proxy note: A single countywide “proximity to schools” metric is not standard; municipal boundaries and census tract patterns serve as practical geographic proxies.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Illinois property taxes are locally administered and vary by taxing district, assessed values, and equalization factors. County‑level summaries are available through the Illinois Department of Revenue and local county reporting.

• Average effective property tax rate: Commonly expressed as property taxes paid as a share of market value; county‑level effective rates can be approximated using ACS “median real estate taxes paid” alongside median home value, but this is a proxy rather than an official levy rate.
• Typical homeowner cost: ACS reports median real estate taxes paid for owner‑occupied homes, which is the most direct “typical” annual tax amount: ACS median real estate taxes paid.
  For official levy and rate context and statewide property tax guidance: Illinois Department of Revenue property tax overview.
  Data note: Because tax bills vary sharply by location, school district, and assessment, countywide medians are summary indicators rather than precise neighborhood‑level costs.