Pope County, IL Property Tax: $1,687/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Pope County is 1.02% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $165,300, that works out to about $1,686 per year, or $141 per month. Pope County is located in southern Illinois, with Golconda as its county seat, and is home to approximately 3,757 residents.
About Pope County
Pope County covers approximately 368.9 square miles in Illinois. The county is home to about 3,757 residents living in roughly 2,273 housing units, of which 51.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $62,500, and the median home was built in 1989.
The county seat is Golconda. Pope County borders Hardin County, Johnson County, Massac County, Saline County, Williamson County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Illinois
Property taxes in Illinois are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Illinois offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Pope County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Pope County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pope County, IL | 1.02% | $165,300 | $1,686 |
| Illinois state average | 1.83% | — | $3,025* |
| Hardin County | 1.18% | $91,700 | $1,078 |
| Johnson County | 1.32% | $148,200 | $1,952 |
| Massac County | 1.50% | $118,000 | $1,769 |
| Saline County | 1.56% | $92,900 | $1,445 |
| Williamson County | 1.71% | $145,600 | $2,490 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Pope County's median home value of $165,300. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pope County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Illinois?
At 1.02%, Pope County is lower than the Illinois state average of 1.83%. On a home at the county median of $165,300, that means about $1,686 per year — versus $3,025 at the state average rate, a difference of $1,339 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Pope County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Pope County?
For a home at the county median value of $165,300, the annual property tax in Pope County is approximately $1,686 — or about $141 per month. For a home worth $247,950, expect around $2,529 per year. For a $330,600 home, approximately $3,372 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Pope County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Pope County are handled by the Pope County Assessor's office in Golconda. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Pope County?
Illinois counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.02% shown here. Contact the Pope County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File