RANK #64 / 996 · POP 107,421 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.2%
The Kankakee River, a National Water Trail, defines Kankakee County, offering 57 miles of scenic beauty and recreation. Located about 50 miles south of Chicago, the county provides a blend of rural and urban settings. Towns like Bourbonnais and Manteno offer community living, while the city of Kankakee serves as the county seat. Commuting to Chicago is possible via Amtrak or bus services to Metra. The 4,000-acre Kankakee River State Park provides extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and camping amidst limestone bluffs and diverse wildlife.
Life in Kankakee County offers a lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas, making homeownership more accessible. The area attracts families and individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle with access to nature and community amenities. Public schools in the county generally receive positive assessments. The local economy is experiencing growth, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and skilled trades, supported by ongoing investments. Educational institutions like Kankakee Community College and Olivet Nazarene University contribute to workforce development and community life.
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Gotion Lithium Battery Gigafactory
Gotion
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
CSL Behring Manufacturing Expansion
CSL Behring
|
$1,500M | Under Construction |
|
Heritage Prairie Wind & Solar Project
Pattern Energy & Repsol Renewables North America
|
$900M | Planned |
|
IDOT Major Road and Interchange Improvements
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$264M | Under Construction |
|
Acciona Kankakee Solar Project
Acciona
|
$144M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio
Various (e.g., Cenergy, Pivot Energy, Nexamp, Clearway Energy Group)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kankakee County has a Boom Town Index score of 94/100, ranking #64 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.3% and a median household income of $65,489, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Kankakee County is $176,800 with median rent at $1,025/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3704, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.3%. Home values changed +5.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.92% of Kankakee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.