RANK #252 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 29 WI · POP 168,438
1YR FORECAST: +2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
The Washington Park Velodrome, the oldest operating velodrome in the United States, is a notable landmark in Kenosha County. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Kenosha County sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, approximately 30 minutes south of Milwaukee and an hour north of Chicago. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and a smaller-town feel, with its eastern edge along Lake Michigan and its western half featuring inland lakes. Commuters have access to both car routes via I-94/41 and a direct rail link to Chicago through Metra's Union Pacific North Line. The county also boasts over 1,500 acres of parkland and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and golf.
Kenosha County attracts families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. Public schools in the Kenosha Unified School District and several smaller districts generally perform above average. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in manufacturing, logistics, and corporate headquarters. This development has contributed to an increase in job opportunities across diverse industries. The county's location between major metropolitan areas, combined with a comparatively lower cost of living, contributes to its appeal for those seeking a balance of lifestyle and economic prospects.
Kenosha County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.3% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.8x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Eli Lilly & Company Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Eli Lilly & Company
|
$3,000M | Under Construction |
|
Red Oak Ridge Energy Center (Proposed Natural Gas Plant)
Invenergy
|
$1,200M | Proposed |
|
Paris Solar-Battery Park
We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Madison Gas and Electric (developed by Invenergy)
|
$900M | Operating |
|
Microsoft Data Center Campus (Kenosha County addition)
Microsoft
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Highland Estates (735-unit subdivision)
ZL River Development LLC
|
$450M | Planned |
|
Natural Gas Plant (Town of Paris)
We Energies
|
$280M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, Kenosha County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.2%, and median household income stands at $81,239 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Housing in Kenosha County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $265,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,219/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Kenosha County are hiring — job growth of +2.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.0% YoY). Home values moved +6.3% 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 2.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Kenosha County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Kenosha County is now valued at $265,500. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.