RANK #735 / 996 · POP 74,113 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Vermilion County, Illinois, distinguishes itself with a rich natural landscape, particularly its extensive park system. Home to Kickapoo State Recreation Area, Forest Glen Preserve, and Kennekuk Cove County Park, the county boasts numerous trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, along with opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and even scuba diving in former strip-mined lakes. Located in east-central Illinois, approximately 95 miles south of Chicago, Vermilion County offers a blend of rural charm and access to larger urban centers. Danville, the county seat, is the largest of its 21 incorporated communities. Life in Vermilion County is characterized by a strong sense of community, with local schools often serving as central hubs, particularly in smaller towns. The county's economy, historically rooted in agriculture and coal mining, has diversified to include manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and data centers. Recent economic development efforts focus on attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones, with broad investments flowing into energy sectors, including solar projects. Danville Area Community College and Lakeview College of Nursing provide local higher education options, while larger universities are within an hour's drive.
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Musketeer Wind Energy Center
Invenergy
|
$450M | Planned |
|
Vermilion Wind Farm
Tri Global Energy
|
$255M | Permitting |
|
Tilton Solar Project
Earthrise Energy
|
$188M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Vermilion County has a Boom Town Index score of 26/100, ranking #735 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $52,787, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Vermilion County is $91,000 with median rent at $769/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.5801, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed -0.2% in the past 12 months.