At a Glance
Median Income
$45,119
$24,194 per capita
Home Value
$105,500
Zillow: $155,307
Median Rent
$986/mo
34.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
12.5%
81.1% high school+
Unemployment
7.3%
21.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
46.6%
19.1% smoking rate
How Kankakee Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Kankakee's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Kankakee a Good Place to Live?
B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Kankakee residents earn a median household income of $45,119 , which is 40% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $24,194. The unemployment rate stands at 7.3% (103% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 21.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,200 business establishments, including 248 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Kankakee is $105,500 , 63% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $155,307. Median rent is $986/month, with 34.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1955.
Education
12.5% of adults in Kankakee hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(63% below the national average).
81.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Kankakee has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C).
Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population24,384
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density1,610/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born13.1%
Veterans5.8%
Economy
C
Median Income$45,119
Per Capita$24,194
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty21.0%
County GDP$8,529M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,075
Housing
A+
Home Value$105,500
Rent$986
Ownership49.4%
Zillow$155,307
Housing Units11,326
Rent Burden34.9%
Health
Obesity46.6%
Diabetes15.7%
Smoking19.1%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death10,618/100K
Climate
Avg Temp51°F
Rain41.7 in/yr
Elevation619 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+12.5%
High School+81.1%
Graduate+5.7%
School Score5.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute22 min
Broadband81.8%
Internet Speed96 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries8
Did You Know?
Kankakee was founded in 1853.
The median home in Kankakee was built in 1955.
The nearest airport is Joliet Regional (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.437 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
17.8% of the population has a disability.
13.1% of residents are foreign-born.
There are 248 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 14 fatal vehicle crashes.