Danville
RANK #19 / 996 NAT · #3 / 28 IL · POP 74,113
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +43%
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.
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 →
| 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 ranks #19 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 98/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.1% and a median household income of $52,787 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Vermilion County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $91,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.58 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $769/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in Vermilion County. The population is declining (-1.1% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +1.1%. Home values moved -0.2% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
Not particularly — 1.25% of Vermilion County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.