Chicago
RANK #197 / 996 NAT · #18 / 28 IL · POP 5,225,367
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Cook County, Illinois, is defined by its vast Forest Preserve District, encompassing nearly 70,000 acres of natural areas for hiking, biking, fishing, and nature watching. This extensive green space offers a contrast to the urban core of Chicago, which serves as the county seat and is situated within Cook County. The county, established in 1831, is located in northeastern Illinois and is a central part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Commute options are varied, with public transportation like Metra trains, CTA buses and trains, and Pace suburban buses connecting residents throughout the six-county region.
Life in Cook County offers a diverse experience, from urban living to suburban communities like Evanston and Oak Park, known for their public schools. The economy is diverse, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and community development. The county government focuses on supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth, including initiatives for workforce training. Residents benefit from various programs aimed at economic security and quality of life.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low 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.
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Three Rivers Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant, Grundy County serving Chicago area)
Competitive Power Ventures
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
Stream Data Centers - Chicago III Campus
Stream Data Centers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Clinton and Dresden Nuclear Plant Upgrades & Relicensing (Illinois)
Constellation
|
$370M | Operating |
|
Double Black Diamond Solar Farm (Cook County portion)
Swift Current Energy (with Constellation and Cook County as customers)
|
$120M | Operating |
|
Cook County Highway Construction Program (2025)
Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cook County ranks #197 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $78,304 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Cook County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $293,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,318/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cook County is losing population (-0.8% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.2% employment change). Home values are +3.6% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
Not particularly — 0.88% of Cook County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.