Jefferson County, IL Property Records
Property records in Jefferson, Illinois are maintained at the county level and typically include parcel information, ownership history, assessed values, property tax details, legal descriptions, deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. These records are useful for verifying ownership, researching property boundaries, estimating tax obligations, preparing for real estate transactions, and conducting due diligence before buying or selling land.
Residents, buyers, real estate professionals, and researchers can access official records through Jefferson County offices, including the Supervisor of Assessments for assessment and parcel data and the County Clerk & Recorder for recorded documents such as deeds and liens. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, users should start with the county’s official online resources for Jefferson property records, where they can find department contacts, record search options, and guidance on requesting documents.
Jefferson County, IL Property Records & Statistics
Housing in Jefferson County is affordable by almost every measure. The median rent is $679, below the Illinois median of $762 and the national median of $840.25. The median home value of $111,800 is also lower than the state figure of $116,950 and well under the national figure of $173,750, so buyers and renters alike face lower entry costs than in much of the country.
Property taxes are the main cost that offsets this advantage. The county's median property tax rate of 1.62% is slightly below the state rate of 1.8%, but it is more than double the national rate of 0.74%. Owners should expect taxes to take a noticeably larger share of home value than the national norm.
The median household income is $63,068, which sits below both the Illinois figure of $65,699.50 and the national figure of $65,108. The unemployment rate of 4.07% is higher than the 2.92% state rate and the 2.87% national rate, pointing to a softer job market than elsewhere.
Only 14.69% of occupied homes are renter-occupied, compared with 18.61% in Illinois and 21.81% nationally. Jefferson County is a market dominated by homeowners, with low prices, moderate incomes, and elevated property tax rates.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Jefferson
Jefferson County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 29,929 total parcels, including 15,783 residential and 1,484 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 86.94% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 37,110 deeds and 21,364 mortgages, and the foreclosure file holds 2,129 notices of sale and 241 lis pendens records.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 29,929 |
| Residential Parcels | 15,783 |
| Commercial Parcels | 1,484 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 86.94% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 37,110 |
| Mortgage Records | 21,364 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 10,958 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Sale Records | 2,129 |
How to Search Jefferson County, IL Property Records
Jefferson County property records are maintained largely through the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office in Mt. Vernon, which records deeds, mortgages, and other documents affecting real estate. Together with assessment information, these records cover the county's 29,929 parcels, including ownership, recorded transfers, and tax details.
The best starting point is the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office page on the county website, which explains how to request and record documents. The office is at 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL, 62864, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach staff at 618-244-8020 with questions about a specific record. The Jefferson County website also links to other county departments.
To search, gather the property address, the owner's name, or the parcel number. Recorded documents can be located by owner name and approximate recording date, and the recorder's staff can help narrow results when you only have partial details. Records in the county's recorder data run from January 3, 2006, to August 21, 2025.
For a deed or mortgage you need in hand, request a copy from the Recorder's Office. For questions about assessments or tax bills, call the county offices and ask to be directed to the right department.
Jefferson Registrar of Deeds
The Jefferson County Probate Office is located at 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL, 62864 and can be reached at 618-244-8020. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website jeffersoncountyillinois.com.
Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office
Jefferson County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Jefferson County property records by address?
Start with the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office page, then call 618-244-8020 if you need help locating a parcel from an address. Staff at 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon, can look up recorded documents tied to a property. Having the street address and the owner's name ready makes the search faster.
How can I find property owners in Jefferson County?
Ownership is shown on the deeds recorded with the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office. Contact the office at 618-244-8020 or visit during weekday hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, to request a search of recorded deeds. The county holds 37,110 deed records, so providing an address or parcel number helps staff find the right transfer.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Jefferson County?
Assessed values are set through the county's assessment process, and the latest assessment year in the county data is 2024. To confirm the value for a specific parcel, call the county offices through the Jefferson County website and ask for the assessment office. Have the parcel number or street address available when you call.
Where can I find Jefferson County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills in Illinois are issued and collected by the county. For Jefferson County, begin at the county website and ask the county offices about tax bills and payment history. You can also call the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-244-8020 to be pointed to the correct department. Bring your parcel number or address to speed things up.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Jefferson County?
Deeds, mortgages, and related documents are recorded at the Jefferson County Clerk & Recorder's Office, 100 South 10th Street, Mt. Vernon. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Recorder data for the county includes 37,110 deeds and 21,364 mortgages recorded between January 3, 2006, and August 21, 2025.
Where can I access Jefferson County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps show boundaries for the county's 29,929 parcels. Call the county offices at 618-244-8020 through the Clerk & Recorder's Office to ask where current maps are kept and whether copies can be provided. The Jefferson County website lists departments that may hold mapping information. Maps are for reference and are not legal surveys.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Jefferson County?
Permit and zoning rules depend on whether a property lies in a city or village or in unincorporated county territory. Ask the county offices through the Jefferson County website which office handles your address, or call 618-244-8020 for direction. Properties inside a municipality, such as Mt. Vernon, follow that city's own requirements.
How can I create a list of property owners in Jefferson County?
The county's records are organized for property-by-property lookups, so building an owner list usually means a request to the county. Call the Clerk & Recorder's Office at 618-244-8020 to ask what recorded-document searches or copies can be provided for a particular area, street, or date range. Larger lists may require a written request and copying fees.