RANK #304 / 1001 NAT · #11 / 28 IL · POP 108,714
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
LaSalle County, Illinois, is often recognized for Starved Rock State Park, a natural landmark featuring canyons, waterfalls, and over 13 miles of hiking trails along the Illinois River. Located about 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and river towns like Ottawa, its largest city and county seat. The community feel is generally conservative, with many residents owning their homes. Commute options to Chicago include driving, which takes under two hours, or a combination of taxi and train from Mendota. The Illinois River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal, a National Heritage Area, provide significant outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking.
Life in LaSalle County offers a more relaxed pace with access to natural amenities. The public schools are considered above average. The economy is supported by a mix of sectors, with manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare being prominent employers. Recent economic developments show ongoing investment in energy-related industries, contributing to the local job market. The county's historical significance, including its role in the Illinois & Michigan Canal's development, continues to shape its identity and attract visitors.
LaSalle 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 +9.3% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.5x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
LaSalle County Station Nuclear Plant License Renewal
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC
|
$370M | Operating |
|
Osagrove Flats Wind Farm
Avangrid
|
$230M | Under Construction |
|
GSG Wind Repowering Project
GSG Wind, LLC (Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC)
|
$80M | Completed |
|
Interstate 39 Resurfacing (Marshall County line to Lincoln Memorial Bridge)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$35M | Planned |
|
Starved Rock State Park Improvements
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
|
$34M | Planned |
|
Route 23 Bridge Replacement (Ottawa over Illinois River)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$26M | Planned |
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 69/100, LaSalle County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $73,045 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IL.
By national standards, LaSalle County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $161,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.45 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $928/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
LaSalle County's job market is contracting (-1.3% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.3% change). Home values are +9.3% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.55% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests LaSalle County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +9.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in LaSalle County is now valued at $161,900. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.