RANK #427 / 1001 NAT · #17 / 28 IL · POP 53,230
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Boone County, Illinois, distinguishes itself with the historic Baltic Mill in Belvidere, a landmark built in 1845 that now serves as a cornerstone of the Belvidere Park District. Located in northern Illinois, approximately 75 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, the county offers a blend of agricultural heritage and suburban development. Commuting to nearby cities like Rockford is common, and major routes including I-90 facilitate travel to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee. The community maintains a rural feel, with outdoor recreation opportunities along the Kishwaukee River, known for its clean water and diverse wildlife, and extensive trails like the Long Prairie Trail.
Life in Boone County often appeals to families and those seeking a balance between rural character and access to urban centers. The county is served by two public school districts, Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 and North Boone Community Unit School District 200, which include several elementary, middle, and high schools. The local economy is influenced by sectors such as manufacturing and logistics, with ongoing investments in these areas. Boone County Public Transit provides door-to-door service, offering accessibility for residents.
Boone County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +6.7% YoY, population -0.2%, wages +3.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 17.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Stellantis Belvidere Assembly Plant Retooling, Battery Plant, and Parts Distribution Center
Stellantis
|
$5,000M | Planned |
|
Microsoft Data Center (Cherry Valley)
Microsoft
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Midwest Refrigeration Services Cold Storage Facility
Midwest Refrigeration Services
|
$250M | Operating |
|
Walmart High-Tech Perishable Distribution Center (PDC)
Walmart
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
General Mills Warehouse and Distribution Center
General Mills
|
$60M | Completed |
|
Belvidere Community Solar Project (Landfill)
Ameresco, ComEd
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Boone County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#427). Median household income is $84,571 and job growth is running at -1.9%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Boone County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $216,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,041/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Boone County's job market is contracting (-1.9% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are +6.7% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.73% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Boone County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Boone County is now valued at $216,900. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.