Signature · 40 SNAP-authorized stores

Effingham County, IL

Effingham County's food-access picture is close to the national norm, with pockets that qualify as low-access. This profile breaks down who qualifies as a food desert and the income, SNAP, and vehicle-access context behind it.

15.3%
low-access pop.
2
food-desert tracts
12.2%
on SNAP
35K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 IL

USDA FARA access plate

County Effingham County, IL

LA-MODERATE · BELOW-NATIONAL · LILA-POCKET · SNAP-TYPICAL · VEH-OK · DENSITY-DENSE

  • LA-MODERATE 15.3% low-access
  • BELOW-NATIONAL -6.8 pts vs US
  • LILA-POCKET 2 food-desert tracts
  • SNAP-TYPICAL 12.2% SNAP
  • VEH-OK 5.7% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-DENSE 25% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Jasper County (+ 0.4 pts)

The food-access picture

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Effingham County ranks #2,090 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #72 of 102 counties in IL (15.3% low-access; 2 food-desert tracts).

#2,090
national by low-access %
#72
in IL
4
low-access tracts
2K
food-desert residents

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).

Signature read: 40 SNAP-authorized stores .

How Effingham County compares nationally

Effingham County lands in the middle of the national distribution: a 15.3% low-access share that beats 33% of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data (rank #2,100).

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Effingham County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

8 census tracts grouped by USDA classification · 2 LILA.

Food access tier distribution for Effingham County, IL USDA-defined food-access tiers: 4 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 2 limited, 2 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 8 tracts evaluated. 4 tracts adequate (50.0%) 2 tracts limited (25.0%) 2 tracts severe / food desert (25.0%) Adequate 50% Limited 25% Severe 25% Food-access tier distribution: Effingham County, IL
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Effingham County has 3 urban and 5 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Effingham County low-access neighbourhood

Poles + nearest peers in Illinois, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Effingham County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts8
Atlas Population (2010 basis)34,242
Low-Access Tracts4
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)2
Low-Access Population5,241
Low-Access Share15.3%below the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population1,588

ACS 2024 · lower SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Effingham County
IndicatorValue
Population34,522
Median Household Income$80,404
Poverty Rate10.1%below the national average
SNAP Households1,696
SNAP Participation Rate12.2%near the national average
Households Without a Vehicle5.7%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population1.4%

Thick SNAP store book in Effingham County

Effingham County has 40 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 7 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 20 locations (50% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 20

  • casey's general store 1704, altamont
  • casey's general store 1832, teutopolis
  • casey's general store 2325, effingham
  • casey's general store 2941, effingham
  • effingham moto 3108, effingham
  • jack flash altamont 601, altamont
  • jack flash effingham 401, effingham
  • jack flash holiday 301, effingham
  • mach 1 5, effingham
  • mach 1 7, effingham
  • murphy usa 6708, effingham
  • petro effingham 321, effingham
  • pilot travel center 643, effingham
  • quiktrip 7191, effingham
  • speedway 7503, effingham
  • store 165, effingham
  • ta effingham 035, effingham
  • wessel's, teutopolis
  • fas mart 559, edgewood
  • fas mart 560, montrose

Combination Grocery/Other · 12

  • dollar general 0836, effingham
  • dollar general 1090, effingham
  • dollar general 13317, teutopolis
  • dollar general 15780, effingham
  • dollar general 20244, dieterich
  • dollar general 21942, edgewood
  • dollar general 7696, altamont
  • dollar general store 16964, effingham
  • dollar tree 2943, effingham
  • effingham rural king supply 06, effingham
  • fast stop general store 071, effingham
  • walgreens 5752, effingham

Supermarket · 3

  • aldi 41071 41071, effingham
  • kirby foods iga plus 370, effingham
  • save-a-lot 23236, effingham

Medium Grocery Store · 2

  • altamont foods, altamont
  • beecher city foodliner, beecher city

Large Grocery Store · 1

  • nuxoll food center llc, effingham

Meat/Poultry Specialty · 1

  • mcmahon meats, teutopolis

Super Store · 1

  • walmart supercenter 936, effingham

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Illinois

One of 101 counties in Illinois, 6 are shown here.

Compare Effingham County vs Adams County → · All Illinois counties →

Nationwide peers for Effingham County's low-access or SNAP share

Two USDA/ACS-derived peer sets for Effingham County, both outside Illinois so the neighborhoods are not the same-state county list above.

Similar low-access share

Nearest low-access rates outside IL (15.3% here).

Similar SNAP participation

Nearest household SNAP rates outside IL (12.2% here).

Source: USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) + Census ACS 2024 SNAP. Peers floor at 10,000 residents so stub counties cannot own the match.

Food access nationally, Illinois in context

Effingham County sits inside Illinois (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Effingham County, IL are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 17049. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.