RANK #76 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 28 IL · POP 106,635
1YR FORECAST: +3.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
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.
Kankakee County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.4x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Kankakee County ranks #76 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.7% year-over-year). Median household income here is $71,281.
By national standards, Kankakee County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $192,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,097/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Kankakee County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +6.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Kankakee County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Kankakee County is now valued at $192,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.