Lee County

Lee County is located in northwestern Illinois, roughly midway between the Rock River valley and the Mississippi River, and includes a mix of prairie farmland and small river communities. Created in 1839 and named for Revolutionary War officer Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, it developed as part of Illinois’s agricultural and transportation hinterland, influenced by rail corridors and nearby regional trade centers such as Dixon. Lee County is small in population by statewide standards, with about 34,000 residents, and is characterized by predominantly rural settlement patterns and a network of small towns and unincorporated areas. Agriculture remains central to the local economy, complemented by manufacturing, logistics, and services concentrated in municipal centers. The landscape is largely level to gently rolling, with waterways and wooded areas along streams. The county seat is Dixon, the largest community and primary governmental and commercial hub.

Lee County is in north-central Illinois, along the Rock River corridor and west of the Chicago metropolitan area. The county seat is Dixon, and county services and planning information are published via the Lee County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lee County, Illinois, Lee County had an estimated population of 34,145 (July 1, 2023).

Age & Gender

County-level age distribution and sex composition are published by the U.S. Census Bureau in QuickFacts. The most current county profile tables are available on the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts page for Lee County, including:

• Age distribution (under 18, 18–64, 65+; plus median age)
• Gender ratio / sex composition (female and male percentages)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

County-level race and ethnicity measures (including Hispanic/Latino origin) are published in QuickFacts. The latest figures for Lee County are listed under Race and Hispanic Origin on the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Lee County, Illinois.

Household and Housing Data

County-level household and housing indicators are available in QuickFacts, including:

• Households (counts and persons per household)
• Owner-occupied housing rate
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units
• Median gross rent
• Housing unit counts and vacancy-related measures (as published in QuickFacts)

These household and housing statistics are provided in the Housing and Families & Living Arrangements sections of the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lee County, Illinois.

Lee County, Illinois is largely rural with small population centers (e.g., Dixon), so lower density can raise per-household infrastructure costs and contribute to uneven broadband availability—factors that shape how reliably residents can use email for work, school, and services.

Direct, county-level email usage statistics are generally not published; this summary relies on proxies such as internet/broadband subscription, computer access, and demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov). These indicators track the prerequisites for routine email access rather than email behavior itself.

Digital access indicators show the share of households with a broadband internet subscription and the share with a desktop/laptop or other computing device; higher values typically correspond with higher potential email adoption. Age distribution is relevant because older populations tend to have lower rates of adoption for some digital communication tools, while working-age residents are more likely to depend on email for employment and institutions. Gender distribution is usually less predictive than age and access, but can be reviewed via county demographic tables from the American Community Survey.

Connectivity constraints in rural areas commonly include last-mile coverage gaps, slower legacy service, and limited provider competition, which can reduce consistent email access.

Lee County is in north-central Illinois along the Interstate 39 corridor, with Dixon as the county seat. The county is predominantly rural with small municipalities and extensive agricultural land. Its relatively low population density and dispersed housing pattern are relevant for mobile connectivity because cell coverage and capacity tend to be less uniform away from population centers and major highways. Basic county characteristics and population geography are documented by Census.gov QuickFacts for Lee County, Illinois.

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

Network availability describes where mobile providers have built coverage (signal presence and technology such as LTE/5G), often reported through provider filings and modeled maps.
Household adoption describes what residents actually subscribe to and use (for example, smartphone ownership, cellular data subscriptions, or “cellular-only” internet access). Adoption can lag availability due to cost, device access, digital skills, and household preferences.

Mobile network availability (4G LTE and 5G)

County-level mobile availability is best described using coverage maps and federal broadband datasets rather than household surveys.

• FCC mobile coverage and broadband mapping

  • The FCC’s broadband maps provide location-based views of reported mobile broadband and are the primary federal reference for availability. See the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • The underlying dataset is based on provider-reported coverage and modeling, and it is designed to show where service is advertised as available, not how many households subscribe.

• 4G LTE

  • In rural Illinois counties such as Lee County, 4G LTE is generally the baseline mobile broadband technology available across most populated areas, with potential gaps or weaker signal in sparsely populated zones and along certain indoor locations. Specific block-by-block LTE availability varies by carrier and terrain/building conditions and is best verified through the FCC map and carrier coverage maps.

• 5G (availability varies by carrier and location)

  • 5G deployment typically concentrates first in higher-traffic areas (towns, highways, commercial zones) with more limited reach in low-density areas. For county-specific views, the FCC map provides the most standardized federal reference.
  • “5G availability” should be interpreted as coverage presence and not a guarantee of consistent high speeds everywhere within the coverage polygon.

• Limitations at the county level

  • Public datasets provide clearer insight into where coverage is reported than how well it performs (throughput, congestion, indoor coverage). Performance testing at county scale is not consistently published as an official measure.

Mobile adoption and access indicators (household use and subscriptions)

County-specific adoption metrics for mobile service (smartphone ownership, mobile-only households, cellular data subscriptions) are not consistently published as a single official county dashboard. The most relevant public sources tend to be national/state surveys or modeled estimates.

• Census and federal survey context

  • The U.S. Census Bureau tracks household internet subscription types through survey-based programs (most notably the American Community Survey at various geographies, and other national surveys). County-level estimates for specific subscription types can be available for some years/geographies, but availability and margins of error can limit interpretability for smaller populations. General county socioeconomic context relevant to technology adoption is available at Census.gov QuickFacts.

• Illinois broadband planning context

  • State broadband planning materials provide statewide and regional context on adoption and infrastructure gaps. See the Illinois Office of Broadband for statewide broadband initiatives and mapping resources; these resources focus primarily on broadband access and adoption broadly and may not isolate mobile-only adoption at county granularity.

• Clear limitation

  • A definitive county-wide mobile penetration rate (for example, “X% of residents have a mobile subscription” or “Y% smartphone ownership”) is not consistently available from a single official county-level source in the same way that population or income is. Where county survey estimates exist, they can carry substantial statistical uncertainty.

Mobile internet usage patterns (mobile broadband reliance and typical use)

• Mobile broadband as a complement vs. substitute

  • In rural counties, mobile data frequently functions as a supplement to fixed broadband (home Wi‑Fi), and in areas with limited fixed options, it can serve as a primary connection for some households. Quantifying “mobile as primary home internet” specifically for Lee County requires survey estimates that are not uniformly published at the county level.

• Technology mix (LTE vs. 5G in practice)

  • Even where 5G is available, many devices and sessions continue to operate on LTE due to device capability, network management, indoor signal conditions, and coverage variability. As a result, LTE can remain the dominant day-to-day mobile broadband layer in rural coverage footprints even after 5G becomes available in parts of the county.

• Availability vs. utilization

  • Availability maps indicate where a technology can be accessed; they do not indicate how many users have 5G-capable devices or 5G plans, nor whether 5G is the mode most commonly used.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Smartphones

  • Smartphones are the dominant consumer mobile device category in the United States and are typically the primary endpoint for mobile broadband usage (messaging, navigation, video, social media, mobile banking, and tethering). County-specific breakdowns (smartphone vs. basic phone) are generally not published as an official statistic for Lee County.

• Other connected devices

  • Mobile connectivity is also used by tablets, mobile hotspots, and in-vehicle telematics. These uses can be more prevalent where households rely on cellular for connectivity in locations with limited fixed service options, but county-level device-type shares are not typically available as official public statistics.

• Data limitation

  • Publicly accessible, county-specific device-type penetration (smartphone/basic phone/hotspot) generally comes from proprietary market research rather than official administrative datasets.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Lee County

• Rural settlement pattern

  • Dispersed residences and farmland increase the per-user cost of dense cell-site deployment and can lead to more variability in signal strength and indoor coverage away from town centers and major roads.

• Transportation corridors and towns

  • Coverage and capacity are commonly strongest near municipalities and along major routes (including I‑39 and primary state routes), where demand is concentrated and backhaul infrastructure is more accessible.

• Population density and local economics

  • Adoption of mobile data plans and device upgrades is influenced by household income, age distribution, and educational attainment. County-level demographic context used in broadband and digital equity planning is available through Census.gov QuickFacts, but it does not directly translate into a measured “mobile adoption rate.”

• Local government and planning references

  • County context and planning information can be sourced from local government resources such as the Lee County, Illinois official website, which can be relevant for understanding development patterns that interact with infrastructure deployment.

Primary public sources for Lee County-specific verification

• Reported mobile broadband availability and technology layers: FCC National Broadband Map
• County demographics and household context: Census.gov QuickFacts (Lee County, Illinois)
• State broadband planning context and related maps: Illinois Office of Broadband

Summary

• Availability: LTE is the foundational mobile broadband layer; 5G availability exists in parts of rural Illinois counties but is uneven and best verified using FCC coverage mapping at the location level.
• Adoption: A single definitive county-level mobile penetration metric is not consistently published as an official statistic; adoption must be inferred from broader survey context and local demographics, with explicit attention to uncertainty.
• Devices: Smartphones dominate consumer mobile use; county-level device-type shares are generally not available from official public sources.
• Drivers: Rural land use, dispersed housing, and concentration of activity in towns and corridors are the principal geographic factors shaping both deployment and everyday mobile connectivity experience in Lee County.

Lee County is in north-central Illinois along the Interstate 88 corridor, anchored by the cities of Dixon (county seat) and Ashton, with proximity to the larger Rockford and Chicago media markets. The county’s largely small-city and rural character, commuting ties, and local community institutions (schools, local government, churches, civic groups) tend to align with social media use patterns typical of non-metro Midwestern areas, where Facebook and YouTube often function as primary channels for local news, events, and community coordination.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• County-specific “social media penetration” is not published in standard public datasets in the way it is for some commercial market reports. The most defensible approach is to use national and state-context benchmarks from large surveys and apply them as context for Lee County.
• U.S. adult social media use (any platform): ~70%+. The most-cited benchmark comes from nationally representative survey work summarized by the Pew Research Center social media fact sheet, which compiles platform adoption across U.S. adults.
• Smartphone access (a key driver of social platform activity): Pew’s Mobile fact sheet provides national smartphone adoption estimates; rural areas typically show slightly lower smartphone and broadband adoption than urban/suburban areas, which can modestly affect overall platform activity levels and the mix of platforms used (more reliance on mobile-first apps and Facebook/YouTube).

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Nationally consistent patterns (Pew) describe the age gradient that most strongly explains differences in social media use:

• Highest usage: Adults ages 18–29 tend to report the highest rates of social media use and the broadest multi-platform adoption (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube in addition to Facebook).
• High usage: Ages 30–49 generally remain heavy users, often combining Facebook and YouTube with Instagram; messaging and group features are commonly used for family, school, and community coordination.
• Moderate usage: Ages 50–64 show substantial participation, with heavier concentration on Facebook and YouTube than on youth-skewing apps.
• Lower (but meaningful) usage: Ages 65+ use social media at lower rates than younger groups, but Facebook and YouTube remain important for keeping up with family, local happenings, and video content.
  Source context: Pew Research Center platform adoption by age.

Gender breakdown

• Overall social media use by gender is generally similar, but platform choice differs in national surveys.
• Pew’s platform tables show:
  • Pinterest skews female in U.S. adult usage.
  • Reddit skews male.
  • Facebook and YouTube are broadly used by both men and women with smaller gaps than Pinterest/Reddit.
    Source context: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet (gender by platform).

Most-used platforms (with benchmark percentages)

County-level platform shares are not routinely published in public datasets; the most reliable published percentages come from large national surveys. Benchmarks from Pew’s latest fact-sheet reporting include:

• YouTube: about 8-in-10 U.S. adults use it (≈80%+).
• Facebook: about two-thirds of U.S. adults use it (≈65%+).
• Instagram: around 4-in-10 U.S. adults (≈40%+).
• Pinterest: around 3-in-10 U.S. adults (≈30%+).
• TikTok: around one-third of U.S. adults (≈30%+).
• LinkedIn: around 3-in-10 U.S. adults (≈30%).
• Snapchat / X (Twitter) / Reddit / WhatsApp: generally smaller shares among U.S. adults, with strong differences by age.
  Source: Pew Research Center platform adoption estimates.

Practical Lee County implication from these benchmarks: in a smaller, community-oriented county environment, Facebook and YouTube typically form the broadest-reach baseline, while Instagram and TikTok skew younger and are more variable by age mix.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and platform preferences)

• Community information and local events: In non-metro counties, Facebook Pages and Groups commonly serve as hubs for municipal updates, school activities, local business announcements, and community discussions, reflecting Facebook’s wide reach among middle-aged and older adults (Pew platform adoption context).
• Video-first consumption: The high overall adoption of YouTube supports frequent use for how-to content, local-interest viewing, entertainment, and news clips; YouTube is also widely used across age groups compared with most other platforms (Pew).
• Age-driven platform stacking: Younger adults more often use multiple platforms daily (TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat alongside YouTube), while older adults concentrate engagement on Facebook and YouTube, producing different content formats by age (short-form vertical video for younger cohorts vs. posts, shares, and longer video for older cohorts). Source context remains Pew’s age-by-platform tables: Pew social media fact sheet.
• Local news pathways: National research finds that social platforms are commonly used for news discovery and community updates, with platform differences in how news is encountered and shared. Background: Pew Research Center Journalism & Media research (social and digital news consumption reports).

Note on data scope: Publicly available, statistically robust county-level social media penetration and platform-share tables are uncommon; the most reliable published percentages for usage and demographics come from large national surveys such as those produced by Pew Research Center and are used here as benchmarks for Lee County context.

Lee County, Illinois, maintains family and associate-related public records primarily through the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and local courts. Vital records generally include birth and death certificates (and related certified copies) administered by the Lee County Clerk and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Adoption records are typically handled through the circuit court and are not treated as standard public vital records. Marriage and civil union records are also commonly maintained by the County Clerk as part of vital records administration.

Public-facing online databases vary by record type. Court-related associate records (case parties, docket entries, and some document images) are commonly accessed through the Circuit Clerk’s online case search where available. Property and tax records that can identify household relationships through deeds, exemptions, and mailing addresses are typically available through the County Recorder and Treasurer functions, often via online search portals.

Access occurs through a combination of online search tools and in-person requests for certified copies. Certified vital records are generally obtained through the County Clerk’s office or IDPH, with identity and eligibility rules applying. Court records are accessed through the Circuit Clerk, with remote access subject to the court’s publication practices.

Privacy restrictions commonly apply to recent birth records, adoption files, and protected court matters (such as juvenile proceedings), and some online systems limit access to sensitive documents.

Official sources: Lee County, Illinois (official website); Illinois Department of Public Health – Vital Records.

Types of records available in Lee County, Illinois

• Marriage records (licenses and certificates/returns): Issued as marriage licenses by the county, with a completed marriage “return” filed after the ceremony. Certified copies are typically issued from the county marriage record.
• Divorce records (judgments/decrees and case files): Divorce actions are civil court cases. The court record commonly includes a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage (often referred to as a divorce decree) and may include related orders and filings.
• Annulments (declarations of invalidity): In Illinois, annulments are handled as court actions for a Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage, maintained as a civil case record similar to divorce records.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records
  • Filed/maintained by: Lee County Clerk (vital records function for marriages).
  • Access: Requests for certified copies are made through the County Clerk’s office using the identifying details of the marriage (names and date). The Clerk’s office maintains the county’s official marriage record series.
• Divorce and annulment records
  • Filed/maintained by: Lee County Circuit Clerk (clerk of the Circuit Court; maintains civil case records).
  • Access: Copies of judgments/decrees and other filings are obtained from the Circuit Clerk. Case access is commonly by party name and case number, subject to statutory confidentiality and court sealing rules.

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license/record
  • Full names of the parties
  • Date and place of marriage (county/city or venue as recorded)
  • Date the license was issued and returned/recorded
  • Officiant name/title and certification
  • Witness information (when recorded)
  • Ages and/or dates of birth and other identifying details captured on the application (specific fields vary by time period and form)
• Divorce (dissolution) judgment/decree
  • Names of the parties and case caption
  • Date of judgment and court of entry
  • Findings and disposition (dissolution granted/denied)
  • Terms on issues such as parental responsibilities/parenting time, child support, maintenance, property division, and allocation of debts (as applicable)
  • Restoration of former name (when ordered)
• Annulment / declaration of invalidity
  • Names of the parties and case caption
  • Date and nature of the court’s declaration
  • Legal basis for invalidity as reflected in the pleadings and orders
  • Associated orders addressing property, support, and parenting issues when applicable

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Marriage records
  • Illinois marriage records are governmental vital records maintained by the county clerk and are generally available as certified copies under state and local procedures, with administrative requirements for proper identification and fees.
• Divorce and annulment records
  • Court case records are generally public to the extent not restricted by law or court order, but sensitive information may be confidential or redacted under Illinois Supreme Court rules and applicable statutes.
  • Sealed cases and sealed documents: The court may seal records by order, limiting public access to the sealed portions.
  • Minors and protected information: Records involving minors and certain protected personal data (such as Social Security numbers, financial account identifiers, and other sensitive data) are subject to confidentiality rules and redaction requirements.
• Vital records vs. court records
  • A divorce decree/judgment is a court record maintained by the Circuit Clerk, while a divorce verification or certificate may also exist in statewide vital records systems; local access to the operative decree remains through the Circuit Clerk’s court file.

Lee County is in north-central Illinois along the I‑88 corridor, between the Chicago metropolitan area and the Quad Cities, with Dixon as the county seat and largest population center. The county’s settlement pattern is a mix of a small city hub (Dixon), smaller towns (e.g., Ashton, Amboy, Paw Paw), and extensive agricultural/rural areas, which shapes school district geography, commuting flows, and housing stock.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

A single countywide “number of public schools” is not consistently published in one authoritative table because Lee County’s public education is delivered through multiple K‑12 districts and school buildings that change over time (openings/consolidations). The most reliable public directory is the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) entity/school report system, which lists active districts and schools by year.

Key public K‑12 districts serving Lee County include:

• Dixon Public Schools District 170
• Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD 275
• Amboy CUSD 272
• Paw Paw CUSD 271
• Steward ESD 220 (elementary)
• Eastland CUSD 308 (serves parts of Lee County and surrounding counties)

School building names vary by district and year; the definitive, up-to-date school roster is available through the ISBE Illinois Report Card entity search (Illinois Report Card) and the ISBE School Directory (School/District Directory).

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: Student–teacher ratios are published at the district and school level in the Illinois Report Card rather than as a single county aggregate. Across rural and small-city Illinois districts similar to Lee County, ratios commonly fall in the mid‑teens to around 20:1, with lower ratios more common in smaller rural elementary districts and somewhat higher ratios in larger unit districts. (Proxy noted because a countywide ratio is not published as a standard indicator.)
• Graduation rates: Four‑year high school graduation rates are also reported at the district/school level on the Illinois Report Card. Lee County districts generally track near or above statewide rural averages, with year-to-year variation by cohort size in smaller high schools. (Proxy noted because a countywide graduation rate is not published as a standard indicator.)

For the most recent official values by high school, the Illinois Report Card provides the graduation rate and other outcomes for each high school and district (Illinois Report Card).

Adult educational attainment

County-level adult attainment is most consistently available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The county profile for:

• High school diploma or higher (age 25+)
• Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)

is available through the Census Bureau’s county “QuickFacts” page and ACS tables (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lee County). (This source reflects the most recent ACS release available on QuickFacts at the time of access.)

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational programming in Lee County is commonly delivered through district CTE offerings and regional partnerships typical of Illinois downstate systems. The most relevant postsecondary/workforce pipeline institution in the county is Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) in Dixon, which supports technical certificates, applied programs, and workforce training serving Lee County and surrounding areas (Sauk Valley Community College).
• Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit opportunities are typically offered at the high school level in unit districts (e.g., Dixon and other CUSD high schools), with participation and course availability varying by district size. District-level AP participation and course offerings are reflected in district curricula and, in part, in Illinois Report Card indicators (district and school profiles at Illinois Report Card).
• STEM programming is typically integrated through coursework (science, technology, engineering-related electives) and community college pathways; district-specific STEM initiatives are not standardized countywide and are best verified through district/school program listings.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Illinois public schools operate under statewide safety and student-support expectations that commonly include:

• Emergency operations planning, drills, and building security procedures aligned with Illinois requirements and district policies.
• Student services including school counseling, social work, and psychological services, with staffing and scope varying by district and school size.

District safety plans and student support staffing are typically documented in district policy manuals and school handbooks; staffing counts and certain climate/safety indicators are also reflected in district reporting and state profiles where applicable (district pages via Illinois Report Card).

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

The most consistent “official” local unemployment series comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), published as annual averages by county. The latest Lee County annual unemployment rate is available via the BLS LAUS county tables (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics). (A specific value is not stated here because it changes annually and is best taken from the latest LAUS annual average release.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Lee County’s economy reflects a blend common to north-central Illinois counties:

• Manufacturing (including metalworking/industrial supply chain roles in the I‑88 corridor region)
• Health care and social assistance
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (concentrated in Dixon and along major routes)
• Educational services and public administration
• Agriculture (land use is heavily agricultural; direct farm employment is a smaller share of payroll employment than land use suggests due to mechanization and business structuring)

County industry composition can be referenced through ACS “industry by occupation” profiles and Census county business patterns. A consolidated county snapshot is available on QuickFacts and ACS profile tables (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lee County).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Typical occupational groups in Lee County align with:

• Production, transportation, and material moving
• Office and administrative support
• Sales and related
• Healthcare support and practitioners
• Education, training, and library
• Construction and extraction

This distribution is reflected in ACS occupation tables for Lee County (access via the Census data portal and summarized on county profiles such as QuickFacts) (Census data tables (data.census.gov)).

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commuting flows: The county includes residents commuting within Dixon and to nearby employment centers along the I‑88 corridor and surrounding counties (including parts of the Rockford region and the western suburbs exurban commute shed). Cross-county commuting is common in rural Illinois counties with small-city hubs.
• Mean travel time to work: The ACS provides Lee County’s mean commute time and mode split (drive alone, carpool, etc.) in standard commute tables and profile summaries (ACS commuting tables). (County-specific mean minutes should be taken from the latest ACS 5‑year table release; values are updated annually.)

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

A substantial share of the workforce in counties like Lee County works outside the county due to:

• limited concentration of large employers relative to regional labor markets,
• proximity to job centers along I‑88 and in adjacent counties.

The best public proxy for “out‑of‑county work” is the ACS table for county of residence vs. county of work and LEHD/OnTheMap commuting flows, which quantify in‑commuters and out‑commuters (Census LEHD OnTheMap). (A single “local vs. out-of-county” percentage is not a standard headline metric and should be derived from the latest commuting-flow tables.)

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

Lee County’s homeownership rate and renter share are published in ACS housing tenure tables and summarized on QuickFacts (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Lee County). The county typically resembles many non-metro Illinois counties, where owner-occupied housing is the majority and rental housing is concentrated in the county seat and larger towns. (Definitive percentages should be taken from the latest ACS tenure estimate.)

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied home value: Published in ACS (5‑year) as “median value of owner-occupied housing units,” with an inflation-adjusted series updated annually (ACS housing value tables).
• Trend context (proxy): Many downstate and non-metro Illinois counties experienced appreciation from 2020–2023 consistent with national housing markets, followed by slower growth as mortgage rates increased. County-specific year-over-year changes are best captured by comparing consecutive ACS releases and regional home price indices where available; a single authoritative county home-price index is not always published.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Published in ACS as median gross rent, updated annually in the 5‑year estimates (ACS rent tables).
• Market pattern: Rentals are most prevalent in Dixon and in smaller multi-family clusters near commercial corridors and community services. Rural rentals exist but are less common and often consist of single-family homes or small buildings. (Proxy noted; countywide “typical rent” is best represented by ACS median gross rent.)

Types of housing

Housing stock in Lee County is characterized by:

• Single-family detached homes as the dominant form, particularly in Dixon’s neighborhoods and in small towns.
• Apartments and small multi-family buildings primarily in Dixon and near town centers.
• Rural lots/farmhouses and acreages distributed across agricultural areas, with outbuildings and larger parcels common outside incorporated places.

ACS “units in structure” tables quantify these shares (ACS housing structure tables).

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

• Dixon: More walkable access to schools, parks, healthcare, retail, and civic services, with older neighborhood housing and a broader rental inventory.
• Smaller towns (Amboy, Ashton, Paw Paw, Steward): Compact residential areas near schools and municipal services, with limited multi-family supply.
• Rural areas: Greater distance to schools, healthcare, and retail; dependence on car travel; housing includes farmsteads and scattered homes on county roads.

(This is a land-use and settlement pattern summary; neighborhood-level metrics vary by census tract and municipality.)

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Illinois property taxes are high relative to many states, and the effective tax rate varies by township, school district, and municipality. For Lee County:

• Tax burden drivers: School district levies are typically the largest share of the total property tax bill, followed by county, municipal, and special district components.
• Average rate and typical cost: Countywide “average effective property tax rate” and “median property taxes paid” are best captured through ACS (median real estate taxes paid) and local tax extension data. The ACS provides median annual property taxes for owner-occupied housing units (ACS property tax tables), while the Illinois Department of Revenue and county treasurer materials provide levy/extension context (local primary source varies by year).

(Proxy noted because a single uniform county rate does not apply; effective rates differ materially by taxing district combinations.)