RANK #58 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 28 IL · POP 283,292
1YR FORECAST: +4.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Winnebago County, Illinois, is distinguished by its natural scenery and recreational opportunities, particularly Rock Cut State Park in Loves Park. The park spans over 3,254 acres, featuring Pierce Lake and Olson Lake, and offers year-round activities like hiking, fishing, swimming, and cross-country skiing. Located in north-central Illinois, Winnebago County is approximately an hour and a half from Chicago. Its county seat, Rockford, was historically known as "the Forest City" and now as the "City of Gardens," boasting attractions like the Anderson Japanese Gardens. The Rock River, a prominent natural feature, flows through the county, with bike and walking paths along its banks. Life in Winnebago County offers a blend of community and access to nature. The county has a higher rate of home ownership and public schools are rated above average. Public transportation, including the Rockford Mass Transit District and the Stateline Mass Transit District, serves various towns, with new rural services launching in July 2025. The economy is driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, with Rockford serving as a regional hub for industry and innovation. Recent economic developments include increased visitor spending and the ongoing construction of the Hard Rock Casino.
Winnebago County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +9.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Winnebago County ranks #58 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.6% year-over-year). Median household income here is $65,837.
By national standards, Winnebago County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $164,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,021/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Winnebago County are both close to flat — population 0.0% YoY and jobs -0.6%. Home values shifted +9.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.2% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Winnebago County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +9.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Winnebago County is now valued at $164,500. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.