Capital
RANK #137 / 996 NAT · #13 / 28 IL · POP 196,122
1YR FORECAST: +4.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Sangamon County, Illinois, is defined by its connection to Abraham Lincoln, with Springfield, the county seat and state capital, offering numerous historical sites related to the 16th president. Located in central Illinois, the county is about a three-hour drive from major cities like St. Louis, Chicago, and Indianapolis. Commutes within the county are generally easy. The community offers a blend of urban amenities in Springfield and more rural environments in surrounding towns like Chatham, Sherman, and Rochester. Outdoor recreation is available at Lake Springfield for boating and fishing, and at various parks and trails, including Carpenter Park Nature Preserve along the Sangamon River, which offers hiking and wildlife observation.
Life in Sangamon County is characterized by an affordable cost of living. The area attracts families and young professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and energy infrastructure, alongside plans to expand downtown Springfield's convention capacity and add a new hotel to boost tourism. These initiatives aim to strengthen the tax base and create jobs across the region.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — home prices are low 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lincoln Land Energy Center (Natural Gas Power Plant)
EmberClear
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Double Black Diamond Solar Farm
Swift Current Energy
|
$800M | Operating |
|
CyrusOne Data Center Campus
CyrusOne
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Grand Prairie Energy Park (Wind Farm)
UKA Group
|
$450M | Proposed |
|
Bridgeland Solar (formerly Sangamon Solar)
AES Corporation / Sangamon Solar LLC
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Iron Bridge Road Overpass and Woodside Road Underpass
Sangamon County (Freesen, a division of UCM, Inc.)
|
$53M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sangamon County ranks #137 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 86/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +4.7% and a median household income of $71,653 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Sangamon County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $162,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.44 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $927/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Sangamon County are hiring — job growth of +4.7% — but the population is close to flat (-0.3% YoY). Home values moved +8.5% 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 2.21% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sangamon County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +8.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Sangamon County is now valued at $162,400. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.