Union County

Union County is located in the far southern tip of Illinois, within the region commonly known as Southern Illinois or “Little Egypt,” and borders the Mississippi River along part of its western edge. Established in 1818, it is one of the state’s older counties and has historical ties to early settlement and river-based trade routes. The county is small in population, with roughly 17,000 residents, and is characterized primarily by rural communities and low-density development. Its landscape includes forested hills, river valleys, and agricultural areas shaped by the Shawnee Hills and nearby public lands, contributing to outdoor recreation and conservation activity alongside farming and local services. Cultural life reflects Southern Illinois traditions and small-town institutions, with a regional identity distinct from metropolitan northern Illinois. The county seat is Jonesboro.

Union County is a county in far southern Illinois (the “Little Egypt” region), bordered by the Mississippi River and centered on the county seat of Jonesboro. The profile below summarizes key county demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Union County, Illinois, Union County had an estimated population of 16,525 (2023).

Age & Gender

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (latest available county profile):

• Under age 18: 19.3%
• Age 65 and over: 22.9%
• Female persons: 50.7%
• Male persons: 49.3% (derived from the female share)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (latest available county profile):

• White alone: 91.5%
• Black or African American alone: 4.2%
• American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 0.2%
• Asian alone: 0.5%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.0%
• Two or more races: 3.4%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 1.7%

Household & Housing Data

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (latest available county profile):

• Households: 6,631
• Persons per household: 2.34
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 75.9%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $123,200
• Median gross rent: $649
• Housing units: 7,619

Local Government Reference

For local government and planning resources, visit the Union County, Illinois official website.

Union County, Illinois is largely rural with low population density outside Anna and Jonesboro, which tends to increase last‑mile broadband costs and can constrain reliable digital communication.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are generally not published; email adoption is commonly inferred from household internet and device access reported in federal surveys. Proxy indicators from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) (American Community Survey) include broadband subscription rates and the share of households with a computer, both of which are closely associated with routine email access.

Age structure also influences likely email adoption: counties with relatively larger older-adult shares typically show lower overall adoption of newer digital services and higher reliance on assisted access, while working-age concentrations correlate with more consistent daily internet use. Union County’s age distribution is available via the ACS age tables.

Gender distribution is usually near parity and is not a primary driver of email access compared with broadband/device availability; ACS sex-by-age tables provide local context.

Connectivity limitations are reflected in rural service gaps and affordability constraints documented by federal broadband mapping; see the FCC National Broadband Map.

Introduction: Union County’s context and connectivity constraints

Union County is in far southern Illinois (the “Little Egypt” region), bordering the Mississippi River near the Shawnee National Forest. The county is predominantly rural, with small towns (including the county seat, Jonesboro) and large areas of forest, hills, and river bottoms. Low population density and rugged terrain can increase the cost and complexity of building and maintaining mobile networks, and can contribute to coverage gaps and variable indoor signal quality. Baseline county geography and population characteristics are documented by Census.gov QuickFacts for Union County, Illinois.

Key definitions used in this overview (availability vs. adoption)

• Network availability (supply): Where mobile providers report service (4G LTE, 5G) and where a signal is theoretically available outdoors or at a given location.
• Adoption/usage (demand): Whether households or individuals actually subscribe to mobile service, use smartphones, or rely on mobile data as their primary internet connection.

County-level reporting often emphasizes availability (coverage) more than adoption (subscriptions/usage). Adoption metrics are more commonly published at state or national levels, with limited county granularity.

Network availability in Union County (reported coverage and technology)

4G LTE availability

4G LTE is broadly reported across populated corridors in southern Illinois, including along major roads and around towns. However, county terrain and extensive public lands can contribute to localized gaps.

Primary reference sources that display provider-reported coverage include:

• FCC National Broadband Map (select Union County, IL; view “Mobile Broadband” layers for LTE/5G and provider footprints).
• FCC mobile broadband data and methodology pages (explains how mobile coverage is collected and limitations of provider-reported maps).

Limitations: FCC mobile layers reflect provider-reported availability (and FCC challenge processes), not guaranteed service quality at street level, indoors, or in complex terrain.

5G availability (where present)

5G availability in rural southern Illinois tends to be uneven and concentrated near population centers and major transportation corridors. County-level 5G presence can be verified using:

• FCC National Broadband Map (mobile 5G layers)

The FCC map distinguishes mobile technologies and allows comparison across providers. It does not directly indicate whether 5G is low-band, mid-band, or mmWave at a county scale, and performance can vary substantially by spectrum band and backhaul capacity.

Factors shaping availability (geographic and infrastructure)

• Terrain and tree cover: The county’s hills and forested areas can attenuate signals and reduce line-of-sight propagation, affecting both LTE and 5G coverage consistency.
• Low density: Fewer users per square mile reduces the economic incentive for dense tower placement, making coverage more dependent on tower height and site placement.
• River corridors and protected lands: Large tracts of federal land (Shawnee National Forest) and the Mississippi River floodplain can complicate siting, power, and backhaul routing.

Adoption and access indicators (what is known at county scale)

Household internet subscriptions and “cellular data only”

County-level indicators for how households connect to the internet (including households that rely on cellular data only) are available through the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) tables on “Computer and Internet Use.” These tables provide adoption measures rather than provider availability:

• data.census.gov (ACS Computer and Internet Use tables) (search for Union County, Illinois and tables related to internet subscriptions and “cellular data plan”)
• American Community Survey (ACS) program documentation

Limitations: ACS estimates are sample-based and may have larger margins of error for small counties. Not all mobile-specific behaviors (e.g., 4G vs 5G usage) are measured directly by the ACS.

Phone service substitution and mobile-only households

The most widely cited “mobile-only” (wireless-only) household measures in the U.S. are typically published at national or regional levels rather than by individual counties. County-specific “mobile-only” rates are generally not published in standard federal releases.

Mobile internet usage patterns (usage vs. availability)

County-level usage (4G vs 5G) data limitations

Publicly available datasets usually show:

• Availability: where LTE/5G is reported (FCC map).
• Subscriptions/adoption proxies: household internet subscription types (ACS).
• Performance samples (not adoption): crowdsourced or test-based speed data sometimes exists, but it is not an adoption measure and may not be representative of rural areas.

There is no standard, official county-level statistic that quantifies the share of residents using 4G versus 5G on-device as a usage pattern.

Practical interpretation using official sources

• Use FCC maps to determine whether 5G is reported in specific parts of the county (availability).
• Use ACS internet subscription types to determine whether households report cellular-data-plan internet subscriptions, and whether wired options are subscribed to (adoption).

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

County-level device type data limitations

Union County–specific device ownership splits (smartphones vs. feature phones, tablets, hotspots) are not typically published as official county statistics.

What is measurable at county scale

The ACS provides county-level estimates for:

• Computer ownership (desktop/laptop)
• Smartphone ownership
• Tablet ownership and other device categories (depending on the ACS table version)

These device categories support a county-level view of smartphone prevalence relative to other internet-capable devices, but they do not distinguish 4G/5G-capable smartphones or the share using MVNOs versus major carriers.

• ACS device ownership tables on data.census.gov

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Rurality and settlement pattern

• Dispersed housing and small towns increase the likelihood that residents experience variable signal levels and may rely more on mobile service where wired broadband options are limited.
• Larger distances to towers can affect indoor coverage and data rates, even where outdoor availability is reported.

County rural/urban characteristics and commuting patterns can be referenced through:

• Census.gov QuickFacts (Union County)

Income and affordability constraints (adoption-side)

Household income and poverty indicators influence whether residents maintain postpaid plans, purchase newer devices, or subscribe to home broadband in addition to mobile service. These demographic measures are available at county level via ACS:

• ACS demographic and income profiles on data.census.gov

Age structure and device adoption

Age distribution can influence smartphone adoption and data usage intensity. County-level age composition is available through ACS profiles:

• ACS age distribution tables on data.census.gov

Broadband alternatives and substitution

In areas where fixed broadband infrastructure is limited or less affordable, households may report cellular data plans as their internet subscription type (ACS adoption measure). This is distinct from network availability, which may exist even where adoption is constrained by cost, device access, or digital literacy.

Summary: what can be stated with high confidence for Union County

• Availability: Provider-reported LTE and some 5G coverage can be assessed at address-level granularity using the FCC National Broadband Map, with known limitations in rural terrain and indoor performance.
• Adoption: Household adoption indicators—especially the presence of cellular data plan subscriptions and smartphone ownership—are measurable using county-level ACS estimates via data.census.gov.
• Device mix and usage patterns: Detailed county-level breakdowns of smartphone model capabilities (4G vs 5G), on-network usage shares, and mobile-only household rates are generally not available as official county statistics; ACS offers the most defensible county-level view for device ownership and internet subscription types.

Union County is in far southern Illinois (the “Little Egypt” region) along the Interstate 57 corridor. The county seat is Jonesboro, and nearby Anna is a local service and retail center. A largely rural settlement pattern, commuting ties to regional job centers, and reliance on local news and community institutions contribute to social media being used heavily for community updates, school and sports information, local commerce, and event coordination.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• Local (county-level) social media penetration: No routinely published, statistically robust dataset reports Union County–specific social media penetration. Most reliable measurement is available at the national or state level via survey research rather than county panels.
• National baseline (U.S. adults): 69% of U.S. adults report using at least one social media site (2023). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Broad internet adoption context: 93% of U.S. adults use the internet (2024). This sets an upper bound for potential social media reach. Source: Pew Research Center internet and broadband fact sheet.
• Implication for Union County: In rural counties like Union, social media usage generally tracks internet/smartphone access and age structure; local participation tends to concentrate on a smaller number of high-utility platforms used for community communication (notably Facebook).

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

Based on U.S. adult patterns reported by Pew Research Center:

• 18–29: 84% use social media (highest-using adult group).
• 30–49: 81% use social media.
• 50–64: 73% use social media.
• 65+: 45% use social media (lowest-using adult group). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Local relevance: Union County’s rural profile and older age share relative to many metropolitan counties typically corresponds to heavier reliance on platforms with cross-generational adoption (especially Facebook) and comparatively lower adoption of youth-skewing platforms among older residents.

Gender breakdown

National U.S. adult usage by platform (Pew) indicates:

• Women are more likely than men to use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
• Men are more likely than women to use platforms such as Reddit (and in some Pew waves, slightly higher use of YouTube, though YouTube is near-universal across genders). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Local relevance: Community-oriented uses (school updates, local groups, family connections) often align with higher female participation in Facebook groups and local-information sharing, consistent with national gender patterns.

Most-used platforms (U.S. adult shares; best available proxy)

County-specific platform shares are not published reliably; the following Pew figures provide a defensible benchmark for expected platform mix:

• YouTube: 83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: 68%
• Instagram: 47%
• Pinterest: 35%
• TikTok: 33%
• LinkedIn: 30%
• WhatsApp: 29%
• Snapchat: 27%
• X (formerly Twitter): 22%
• Reddit: 22% Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.

Union County–typical emphasis (based on rural U.S. usage patterns):

• Facebook tends to function as the primary “community bulletin board” (local groups, municipal updates, school districts, churches, buy/sell activity).
• YouTube serves broad entertainment and “how-to” needs across age groups.
• Instagram/TikTok/Snapchat skew younger, often centered on short-form video and peer networks.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Local information seeking and community coordination: Rural counties commonly use Facebook Groups and local pages for high-frequency engagement around events, weather impacts, school closings, and community announcements; this aligns with Facebook’s broad adult penetration (68% nationally). Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Video-first consumption: With YouTube (83%) and rising short-form video use (TikTok 33% nationally), engagement often centers on passive consumption (watching) with intermittent sharing/commenting, particularly around local sports highlights, community events, and practical content. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Age-driven platform preference: Younger adults concentrate more time on Instagram/TikTok/Snapchat, while older adults concentrate on Facebook; Pew reports the strongest overall social media usage among adults under 50. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Trust and news dynamics: Social platforms are frequently used as a pathway to news and updates; U.S. patterns show meaningful portions of adults get news via social media, which tends to amplify local posts from known community sources. Source: Pew Research Center: social media and news fact sheet.

Union County, Illinois, maintains family and associate-related public records primarily through the County Clerk and the Circuit Clerk. The County Clerk serves as the local registrar for vital records, including birth and death records, and issues certified copies under Illinois Department of Public Health rules. Adoption records are generally handled through the courts and state processes rather than routine county vital-record issuance, and access is restricted. See the Union County Clerk.

Records reflecting family relationships and associates also appear in court filings (marriage dissolutions, orders of protection, probate/guardianship) and in recorded instruments (deeds, liens, plats) that can link spouses, heirs, and co-owners. Court records are maintained by the Union County Circuit Clerk. Land and related recordings are maintained by the Union County Recorder.

Public database availability varies. Illinois courts provide a statewide docket portal for participating counties via Judici (Illinois court case search), which is commonly used for Union County case lookups, while certified copies typically require direct request through the issuing office.

Access occurs online through available search portals and in person at the relevant office during business hours; certified vital records generally require identification and a fee. Privacy restrictions apply to vital records, adoption matters, juvenile cases, and sealed or expunged court records under Illinois law and court order.

Types of records available

• Marriage licenses and marriage certificates (marriage records): Created when a couple applies for a marriage license through the county and the marriage is later returned (solemnized) and recorded. Union County maintains county-level marriage records for marriages licensed in Union County.
• Divorce records (dissolution of marriage): Court case records created and maintained when a marriage is dissolved in the circuit court. These commonly include the judgment for dissolution (often referred to as a divorce decree) and related pleadings and orders.
• Annulments (declarations of invalidity of marriage): Handled as circuit court matters in Illinois and maintained as court case records. The court’s final order is typically a judgment declaring the marriage invalid rather than a “divorce decree.”

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage records

  • Filed/recorded by: Union County Clerk (the county’s vital records and licensing office for marriages).
  • Access method: Requests are typically made through the Union County Clerk’s office for certified copies or record verification. County clerks generally maintain the official county marriage record and issue certified copies.
  • State-level reference: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Vital Records maintains marriage records for Illinois and issues certified copies under state rules, including for marriages occurring in Union County.
    Link: Illinois Department of Public Health – Marriage and divorce records

• Divorce and annulment records

  • Filed/maintained by: Union County Circuit Court (First Judicial Circuit) and its Clerk of the Circuit Court (the office that maintains circuit court case files).
  • Access method: Divorce and annulment case files are accessed through the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Availability can include in-person review of non-restricted case files and obtaining copies of orders/judgments and other filings, subject to court rules and any sealing/confidentiality orders.
  • State-level reference: IDPH issues “verification” for divorces and dissolutions for certain years and does not provide complete decrees; the decree itself is a court record.
    Link: IDPH – Divorce verification information

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage license/record

  • Parties’ names
  • Date and place of marriage (and/or license issuance date and return/recording date)
  • Officiant name/title and certification
  • Location where the ceremony occurred (often city/town and county)
  • Ages or dates of birth (varies by form/era)
  • Residences and/or places of birth (varies by form/era)
  • Names of parents/guardians may appear on some older forms or where required by law at the time
  • Clerk’s filing information (license number, date issued, recording details)

• Divorce decree (judgment for dissolution)

  • Caption identifying the parties and the case number
  • Filing and judgment dates; county and court
  • Findings regarding jurisdiction and grounds under Illinois law
  • Orders dissolving the marriage and restoring a former name (when granted)
  • Provisions addressing allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, and child support (when applicable)
  • Maintenance (spousal support) terms (when applicable)
  • Property division and allocation of debts
  • Any additional court orders incorporated into the judgment (e.g., settlement agreement)

• Annulment (judgment declaring invalidity)

  • Case caption and number; filing and judgment dates
  • Findings supporting invalidity under Illinois law
  • Orders addressing status of the parties, financial issues, and issues involving children (when applicable)

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Marriage records: Certified copies are issued under Illinois vital records laws and administrative rules. Access is generally limited to eligible individuals and uses, and requesters are commonly required to provide identification and/or demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legal interest, depending on the type of copy requested and the record’s age.
• Divorce and annulment court files: Many filings and final judgments are public court records in Illinois, but access can be restricted by:
  • Sealing orders or impoundment entered by the court
  • Statutory confidentiality for specific categories of information (for example, certain information about minors, protected addresses, and other protected data)
  • Court policies limiting remote/public dissemination of sensitive personal identifiers
• IDPH divorce records: IDPH generally provides verification rather than full decrees; the full decree is maintained by the circuit court clerk as part of the case file.

Union County is in far southern Illinois (“Little Egypt”), anchored by Jonesboro and Anna and adjacent to Alexander and Jackson counties. It is a predominantly rural county with small population centers, significant forest and agricultural land use, and regional ties to the Carbondale–Marion area for higher education, health care, and some employment.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Public K–12 education in Union County is primarily provided through these districts/schools (school configurations and building names can change over time; district listings are the most stable reference):

• Anna-Jonesboro Community High School District 81 (serves grades 9–12; main high school campus: Anna-Jonesboro Community High School).
• Anna School District 37 (elementary/middle grades; schools typically include Anna Elementary and Anna Jr. High structures).
• Jonesboro Community Consolidated School District 43 (elementary grades, with district-run elementary campus in Jonesboro).

Authoritative district and school listings for the county are maintained by the Illinois State Board of Education through the Illinois school district directory.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios (district/school level): Published ratios vary by building and year and are reported in Illinois report cards. The most direct source is the Illinois Report Card, which provides district- and school-level staffing and enrollment measures for Union County districts.
• High school graduation rate: The county’s main public high school graduation rate is reported through the Illinois Report Card for Anna-Jonesboro CHSD 81. Countywide graduation rates are not always published as a single summary; the high school district rate is the standard proxy for local completion outcomes.

Adult educational attainment (county level)

Adult attainment in Union County is consistently below statewide averages:

• High school diploma or higher: County-level shares are reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: Also reported via ACS 5-year estimates and is typically substantially lower than Illinois overall.

The most comparable, regularly updated county profile tables are available via the Census Bureau’s data.census.gov (ACS “Educational Attainment” tables).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational: Southern Illinois high schools commonly participate in regional CTE offerings and dual-credit career pathways through area community colleges. Local CTE availability and course lists are documented in district curricula and on the Illinois Report Card program indicators where applicable.
• Advanced Placement (AP) / dual credit: AP participation and performance, along with dual-credit indicators, are typically reported in the Illinois Report Card for the high school district. In rural southern Illinois, dual credit through nearby colleges is a common complement to AP.

Because program availability is school- and year-specific, the Illinois Report Card is the most consistent source for current AP/CTE reporting in Union County districts.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Illinois districts generally report student supports and safety-related staffing (such as counselors, social workers, psychologists, and school resource arrangements where used) through staffing and climate-related disclosures. For Union County districts, the most standardized public source for these measures is the Illinois Report Card, supplemented by district handbooks and board policies.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent available)

Union County unemployment is tracked monthly and annually by federal/state labor market programs. The most recent county unemployment rates are published through:

• The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) labor market information (county-level series).
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).

(These sources provide the latest year-to-date and annual averages; they are preferred over older profile summaries.)

Major industries and employment sectors

Union County’s employment base reflects a rural southern Illinois mix:

• Health care and social assistance (regional hospitals/clinics and elder care are significant employers in the broader area).
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (serving local demand and travelers along regional corridors).
• Manufacturing and construction (smaller-scale plants and trades; manufacturing presence is more prominent in nearby counties, but remains a common sector in southern Illinois).
• Educational services and public administration (schools, county/municipal services).
• Agriculture/forestry and related land-based work (more prominent than in urban Illinois, though often smaller share of payroll employment than services).

Sector breakdowns for resident employment are available through the Census Bureau’s ACS at data.census.gov (industry by occupation tables).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

The county’s occupational structure typically skews toward:

• Service occupations (health care support, food service).
• Office/administrative support and sales roles.
• Production, transportation, and material moving (manufacturing, warehousing, driving).
• Construction and extraction (trades).
• Management, business, and professional roles at lower shares than statewide averages.

ACS occupation tables at data.census.gov provide the most current percent distribution.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

• Commute mode: In rural Union County, commuting is predominantly by driving alone, with limited transit availability and modest carpooling shares; remote work has increased compared with pre-2020 levels but remains below many metro areas.
• Mean travel time to work: The ACS reports a mean commute time for Union County (minutes), typically reflecting moderate commutes that include travel to Jackson County (Carbondale area) and other regional job centers.

The authoritative commuting measures come from ACS “Travel Time to Work” and “Means of Transportation to Work” tables at data.census.gov.

Local employment vs out-of-county work

Union County functions partly as a residential/rural county with out-commuting to nearby counties for higher-density employment (notably Jackson County and other southern Illinois labor markets). The most standardized proxy is ACS “place of work” and commuting flow indicators; detailed commuter flow datasets are also available through Census products.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Union County’s housing tenure is typically characterized by higher homeownership than large Illinois metros, consistent with rural and small-town patterns. The homeownership rate and renter share are reported in ACS tenure tables via data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value (owner-occupied): Reported by ACS and is generally below the Illinois median, reflecting rural market conditions and lower land/housing costs.
• Recent trends: Like much of the Midwest, values increased notably in the early 2020s, with smaller absolute price levels than metro regions; the ACS “Median Value (dollars)” time series provides a consistent measure, while transaction-based indices may be sparse for low-volume rural markets.

For county median value and year-over-year ACS updates, use data.census.gov.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported by ACS and typically below statewide median rent. Rural counties often have fewer large apartment complexes, with rentals concentrated in small multifamily buildings, single-family rentals, and manufactured-home arrangements.

ACS “Median Gross Rent” is available via data.census.gov.

Types of housing

Union County’s housing stock is commonly:

• Single-family detached homes (dominant in towns and rural settings).
• Manufactured homes/mobile homes (more common than in urban Illinois).
• Small multifamily properties (limited apartment inventory, generally concentrated near town centers such as Anna and Jonesboro).
• Rural lots and acreage properties (including homes on larger parcels, reflecting agricultural/woodland patterns).

These distributions are quantified in ACS “Units in Structure” tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

• Anna and Jonesboro: Most housing within municipal limits has the closest proximity to schools, city services, clinics, grocery and retail, and public facilities.
• Rural areas: Housing tends to be more dispersed with longer drive times to schools and amenities, larger parcels, and greater reliance on county roads and highways for access.

Property tax overview (rates and typical cost)

Illinois property taxes are high by national standards, but effective rates and bills vary sharply by local taxing districts and assessed values. County-level averages are best represented by:

• Effective property tax rates and average tax bills compiled from administrative and survey sources; a commonly cited public reference is the Union County property tax overview (Tax-Rates.org) (secondary-source summary).
• For official assessment practices and tax extensions, county officials and Illinois tax agencies provide primary documentation; county-level billing varies by municipality/school district boundaries and exemptions.

Because “average rate” and “typical homeowner cost” depend on assessed value, exemptions, and local levies, published countywide averages should be treated as a proxy for the typical homeowner experience rather than a uniform rate.