Wheatland
RANK #398 / 996 NAT · #25 / 28 IL · POP 696,774
1YR FORECAST: +1.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Will County, Illinois, a "collar county" southwest of Chicago, is known for its blend of suburban and rural characteristics, offering residents access to city amenities alongside natural landscapes. The county seat, Joliet, is approximately 40 miles from Chicago. Commute options include Metra rail lines and Pace bus services, though many residents drive. The area features extensive outdoor recreation, with over 21,000 acres managed by the Forest Preserve District, including 116 miles of trails for various activities. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the first national tallgrass prairie, is a notable landmark and home to a bison population.
Life in Will County often appeals to families, with many municipalities recognized as desirable places to live and own homes, supported by highly-rated public schools. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy sectors. The county has seen an increase in job creation and single-family home construction, and efforts are underway to modernize government services to meet the needs of a growing population. Will County also focuses on supporting local businesses and addressing economic impacts through various programs.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.2x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Joliet Data Center Campus
HW Technology Park Development LLC (Hillwood)
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Will County Transportation Improvement Plan
Will County Division of Transportation (DOT)
|
$662M | Planned |
|
Hyundai Translead Manufacturing Operation
Hyundai Translead
|
$450M | Operating |
|
ACCIONA Energía Will County Solar Farm
ACCIONA Energía
|
$300M | Planned |
|
Rebuild Illinois - Will County Road and Bridge Projects (9 projects)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$117M | Under Construction |
|
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plant at Prairie View Landfill
Will County (SCS Energy, Harbor Contractors)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, Will County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $103,678 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IL.
By national standards, Will County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $283,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,342/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Will County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +3.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Will County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.