RANK #793 / 1001 NAT · #27 / 28 IL · POP 51,495
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Ogle County, Illinois, is characterized by its scenic sandstone bluffs along the Rock River and extensive forest preserves, offering abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Located in northern Illinois, approximately 100 miles west of Chicago and 30 miles northeast of Rockford, the county maintains a rural and hometown atmosphere. Commute times average around 26 minutes, which is slightly shorter than the national average. Towns like Oregon, the county seat, are known for their artistic heritage, featuring galleries and a sculpture trail. The community offers a blend of natural beauty and local amenities.
Life in Ogle County appeals to families and individuals seeking a quieter environment with access to nature. The public schools in Ogle County are rated above average. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture, particularly corn and soybeans, has seen diversification. While manufacturing remains a significant employment sector, there is increasing investment in other areas. The county is actively pursuing economic development, including attracting businesses in sectors like data centers and energy, while also focusing on expanding broadband infrastructure and competitively priced housing.
Ogle 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 +10.2% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Hyper-scale AI Data Center (Potential)
Constellation Energy (site owner)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Leaf River Wind Project
Unknown
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Natural Gas Pipeline Replacement
Nicor Gas
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 20/100, Ogle County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $82,132 combined with job growth of -3.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Ogle County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $189,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.43 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $936/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Ogle County's job market is contracting (-3.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.1% change). Home values are +10.2% 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 2.41% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ogle County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Extremely. Home values surged +10.2% over the past 12 months in Ogle County, far outpacing the national average. With a median home value of $189,200, buyers face a fast-moving market — though the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.43 suggests locals can still stretch to buy.