RANK #624 / 1001 NAT · #21 / 28 IL · POP 701,462
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
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.
Will 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 +2.9% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 13.4x — 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 →
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 1001 counties.
At 37/100, Will County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $109,984 combined with job growth of +1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Will County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $319,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,462/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Will County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (+0.4% YoY). Home values moved +2.9% 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 3.27% 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.