CountyScore

Kankakee County

Illinois · IL

#93 in Illinois
54.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Kankakee County, Illinois

Kankakee County near the national norm

Kankakee County's composite score of 53.7 sits slightly above the national median of 50.0, confirming average-to-slightly-better livability on the national stage. Its performance is steady if unspectacular.

Below the Illinois average

Kankakee County scores 53.7, below the Illinois state average of 62.1, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. Higher taxes and modest incomes weigh on its overall ranking.

Reasonable housing costs provide value

Kankakee County's cost score of 70.6 reflects moderate affordability with homes at $185,700 and rent at $1,075/month, offering decent value for families unwilling to live in the deepest rural areas. This mid-range positioning appeals to those balancing access and cost.

Taxes and incomes lag state peers

Kankakee County's tax score of 39.8 and income score of 28.0 are concerning, with a 2.221% effective tax rate and median household income of just $68,325. These gaps make everyday expenses feel heavier.

Suitable for modest-income families seeking stability

Kankakee County fits families with stable, middle-range incomes who value moderate housing costs and suburban access despite higher tax burdens. It's workable for those with patience and careful budgeting.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax39.8Cost70.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome28Risk11.8WaterComing Soon
🏛39.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡11.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Kankakee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Los Angeles County
California
54.4
Median income: $87,760
Hunterdon County
New Jersey
54.4
Median income: $139,453
San Diego County
California
54.3
Median income: $102,285
Putnam County
New York
54.2
Median income: $127,405
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
54.1
Median income: $86,266

Deep Dives

Kankakee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kankakee County

via TaxByCounty

Kankakee taxes run well above national

Kankakee County's effective tax rate of 2.221% towers over the national median of 1.825%, landing it in the top 15% of taxed counties nationwide. Residents pay a median of $4,125 annually—53% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Among Illinois's priciest tax counties

Kankakee County ranks 98th among Illinois's 102 counties with a 2.221% effective rate, sitting well above the state average of 1.831%. Its median tax bill of $4,125 exceeds the state median of $2,782 by nearly 50%, marking it as one of Illinois's higher-tax communities.

Moderate rate but substantial median bill

Kankakee's 2.221% rate falls below Kane County (2.386%) and Kendall County (2.528%), yet its median tax of $4,125 runs deeper than Johnson County ($1,952) or Jefferson County ($2,026). The gap reveals how both rate and home value shape your final bill.

A $185,700 home costs $4,125 yearly

The median Kankakee home valued at $185,700 generates an estimated annual property tax of $4,125. Including mortgage insurance, homeowners pay approximately $4,615 through annual escrow.

Assessment review could trim hundreds

With median taxes exceeding $4,100, Kankakee homeowners have substantial incentive to verify their assessments are accurate. A successful appeal reducing your home's assessed value could save hundreds annually with no upfront cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kankakee County

via CostByCounty

Kankakee County faces housing affordability stress

Kankakee County renters spend 18.9% of income on rent, well above the U.S. average of roughly 15% and among the highest stress levels in Illinois. With household income of $68,325 below the national median, the $1,075 rent represents an unusually large budget burden.

Illinois's most strained county affordability

At 18.9% rent-to-income, Kankakee County ranks significantly worse than Illinois's 14.7% state average, indicating severe affordability pressure. Median rent of $1,075 stands 28% above the state median of $837, compounding the burden on below-average incomes.

Unexpectedly high costs for the region

Kankakee County's $1,075 rent and $1,202 owner costs far exceed southern Illinois peers like Johnson ($634 rent) and Jefferson ($862 rent), despite similar or lower household incomes. Its affordability profile more closely resembles suburban Chicago counties than regional neighbors.

Kankakee County's budget squeeze

Renters pay $1,075/month while homeowners average $1,202/month, consuming roughly 19% and 21% of household income respectively. With median home value of $185,700 and household income of $68,325, housing costs consume an outsized share of take-home pay.

Reconsider before relocating here

Kankakee County's housing costs create genuine financial stress relative to incomes and regional alternatives. If relocating to Illinois, explore Johnson, Jefferson, or Knox counties to the south, where housing dollars stretch significantly further for similar income levels.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kankakee County

via IncomeByCounty

Kankakee Household Incomes Lag Nationally

Kankakee County's median household income of $68,325 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $6,430. This 8.6% gap reflects economic conditions somewhat behind the broader U.S. average.

Slightly Below Illinois Average

At $68,325, Kankakee County tracks just below Illinois's state median of $68,580—nearly on par with the state. The county's per capita income of $35,005 slightly trails the state average of $36,009.

Competitive but Modest in Regional Context

Kankakee County earns about $10,800 less than Jersey County and roughly $6,600 above Johnson County. The county occupies a middle position among the region's eight counties in overall household earnings.

Housing Affordability Squeezed

Kankakee County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% edges toward the affordability ceiling, higher than most regional peers. A median home value of $185,700 combined with moderate incomes requires careful household budgeting.

Prioritize Financial Planning in Kankakee

With tighter housing costs and middling incomes, Kankakee households benefit from deliberate financial discipline. Build a structured budget, prioritize debt reduction, and explore employer retirement benefits to establish a stable financial foundation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kankakee County

via HealthByCounty

Kankakee County trails national health standards

Kankakee County's life expectancy of 74.6 years falls roughly 4 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 19.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health—far above the national average of 12%—the county faces significant health challenges.

Among Illinois's lowest performers

At 74.6 years, Kankakee County ranks below Illinois's 76.0-year state average, placing it in the state's lower-performing tier. The uninsured rate of 6.7% slightly exceeds the state average of 6.3%.

Notable disparities within region

Kankakee County's 74.6-year life expectancy trails nearby Jefferson (74.1 years is lower) but falls well short of high-performing Kendall (80.5 years) and Jo Daviess (79.9 years). The 19.1% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the comparison group.

Provider shortages across specialties

Kankakee County has relatively limited primary care access with 35 providers per 100,000 residents and modest mental health services at 213 per 100,000. Combined with a 6.7% uninsured rate, these gaps create real barriers to routine care.

Get covered today

Kankakee County residents should prioritize health insurance enrollment to ensure access to the limited primary care available. Local health centers and marketplace navigators can help you find affordable coverage options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kankakee County

via RiskByCounty

Kankakee County ranks as relatively moderate risk

Kankakee County's composite risk score of 88.23 exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46 by 62%, earning a relatively moderate risk rating. The county's primary exposure stems from exceptionally high flood (92.46) and tornado (85.91) risks, making it one of the state's more vulnerable areas.

Second-highest risk among Illinois counties

At 88.23, Kankakee County ranks among the very highest-risk counties in Illinois, exceeded only by a handful of counties including Kane County. The county's flood and tornado scores are among the most severe statewide.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Kankakee County's 88.23 score substantially exceeds Kendall County (80.25) to the west and Johnson County (51.08) to the south. Only Kane County to the north approaches similar risk levels in the region.

Floods and tornadoes create urgent hazards

Kankakee County faces exceptional flood risk of 92.46 and tornado risk of 85.91, both among the highest in Illinois. Earthquake risk of 80.47 rounds out the county's multi-hazard profile, though wildfire exposure remains manageable at 20.26.

Flood and storm insurance are essential

Kankakee County residents must maintain active flood insurance and comprehensive homeowners coverage for tornado damage—these are non-negotiable given the county's extreme exposure. Elevating utilities, installing storm shutters, and identifying a safe room are practical protective measures for this high-risk location.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.