Aux Sable
RANK #89 / 996 NAT · #11 / 28 IL · POP 52,624
1YR FORECAST: +2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Morris, the county seat of Grundy County, Illinois, offers a glimpse into the region's past with its historic downtown, featuring small shops and independent restaurants. Located about 45 to 60 minutes southwest of Chicago, Grundy County provides a blend of rural and urban characteristics. The county is situated along the Illinois River and the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal, offering natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking and boating in its state parks and nature preserves. Commuting to Chicago is possible by car, taking around 1 hour and 19 minutes, or by train and taxi.
Life in Grundy County is characterized by a strong sense of community, attracting families and young professionals. The public schools in Grundy County are highly rated, with institutions like Minooka Community High School and Coal City Middle School receiving positive recognition. The local economy is experiencing growth, with job increases in sectors such as general merchandise, retail, truck transportation, health, personal care, oil and gas extraction, and construction. The county is also seeing investment in energy and infrastructure, contributing to its economic development.
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
CPV Three Rivers Energy Center
Competitive Power Ventures (CPV)
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
Tract Morris Data Center
Tract
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Cielo Minooka Data Center
Cielo Digital Infrastructure
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Blue Sky Solar Project
Blue Sky Solar
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Buffalo Solar Farm
RWE
|
$116M | Under Construction |
|
Rebuild Illinois Capital Program (18 major projects)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$103M | Underway/Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grundy County ranks #89 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +4.5% and a median household income of $89,993 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Grundy County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $245,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,126/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Grundy County are hiring — job growth of +4.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +3.7% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Grundy County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.