CountyScore

Kendall County

Illinois · IL

#101 in Illinois
49.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Kendall County, Illinois

Kendall County below national median

Kendall County's composite score of 41.5 falls notably below the national median of 50.0, indicating below-average livability relative to most U.S. counties. This score reflects significant cost and tax challenges.

Lowest-ranking among Illinois counties

Kendall County scores 41.5, well below Illinois's state average of 62.1, placing it among the state's least livable counties by this composite measure. Its scores are driven down by exceptionally high housing costs.

Highest incomes in Illinois

Kendall County's income score of 55.5 and median household income of $110,474 are the state's best, reflecting its appeal to affluent professionals and families. This income advantage is critical to surviving its cost structure.

Extreme costs and taxes overwhelm benefits

Kendall County's cost score of 45.8 and tax score of 31.2 are among the state's worst, with rent at $1,763/month, homes averaging $298,900, and an effective tax rate of 2.528%. These extraordinary expenses dominate the livability equation.

Only for the very affluent

Kendall County suits only high-income families who can comfortably absorb premium suburban costs and among the state's highest tax burdens. It's a choice based on income, not value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax31.2Cost45.8SafetyComing SoonHealth81.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome55.5Risk19.8WaterComing Soon
🏛31.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠45.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼55.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.8
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 Kendall County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dallas County
Texas
49.8
Median income: $74,149
Harris County
Texas
49.8
Median income: $73,104
Burlington County
New Jersey
49.9
Median income: $105,271
El Paso County
Texas
49.9
Median income: $58,859
Rockland County
New York
49.3
Median income: $110,631

Deep Dives

Kendall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kendall County

via TaxByCounty

Kendall County taxes rank among highest

Kendall County's effective property tax rate of 2.528% stands as among the nation's highest, crushing the national median of 1.825%. Residents shoulder a median annual tax of $7,556—nearly three times the national median of $2,690—driven by both steep rates and elevated home values.

Second-highest taxes in all Illinois

Kendall County ranks 101st among Illinois's 102 counties with a 2.528% effective rate, bested only by Kane County (2.386%)—though Kendall's actual median tax bill of $7,556 tops all counties. This represents one of the state's heaviest property tax burdens.

Steepest rate in the entire region

Kendall County's 2.528% effective rate tops every comparable county, including nearby Kane County (2.386%) and Kankakee County (2.221%). Its median home value of $298,900 combined with this punishing rate generates the highest median tax bill in the entire analysis.

A $298,900 home costs $7,556 yearly

The median Kendall home valued at $298,900 generates an estimated annual property tax of $7,556—the highest among all counties examined. Total annual costs including mortgage insurance climb to roughly $7,697 through escrow accounts.

Assessment appeals essential in Kendall

With the state's highest effective rate and peak median taxes, Kendall County residents face the steepest financial incentive to appeal potentially inflated assessments. Reducing a $7,500+ tax bill even by 10% through a successful challenge could save $750+ annually—a worthwhile effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kendall County

via CostByCounty

Kendall County's premium housing market

Kendall County renters spend 19.1% of income on rent, the highest ratio among these eight Illinois counties and well above the U.S. average of roughly 15%. Despite the highest household income at $110,474—48% above the national median—the $1,763 rent reflects competitive Chicago exurban pricing.

Illinois's highest affordability strain

At 19.1% rent-to-income, Kendall County exceeds Illinois's 14.7% state average by the widest margin of any county here. Median rent of $1,763 more than doubles the state median of $837, driven by Chicago-region suburban demand and rapid development.

Costlier than Kane County next door

Kendall County's $1,763 rent and $1,976 owner costs both exceed neighboring Kane County ($1,404 rent, $1,778 owner costs). Though Kendall home values ($298,900) and Kane values ($303,000) are similar, Kendall renters and owners face steeper monthly payments.

Kendall County's expensive housing profile

Renters pay $1,763/month while homeowners average $1,976/month, consuming roughly 19% and 21% of household income respectively. The median home value of $298,900 reflects exurban Chicago positioning, and only Kendall's exceptionally high household income of $110,474 makes these costs sustainable.

For high-income Chicago commuters only

Kendall County suits affluent families seeking Chicago-area proximity and suburban amenities despite premium pricing. If your household income falls below $110,000, consider neighboring Kane County or southern Illinois alternatives where your budget provides more flexibility.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kendall County

via IncomeByCounty

Kendall County Leads the Nation Financially

Kendall County's median household income of $110,474 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by $35,719. This 48% premium ranks Kendall among the most prosperous counties in the entire United States.

Illinois's Second-Highest County Income

At $110,474, Kendall County ranks near the top statewide, exceeding Illinois's state median of $68,580 by nearly $42,000. The county's per capita income of $43,127 also significantly outpaces the state average of $36,009.

Kendall Edges Out Even Kane County

Kendall County's $110,474 median edges past Kane County's $100,678 by roughly $9,800, establishing it as the region's top earner. The county vastly outearns all other surveyed counties, with a $47,000+ advantage over Jefferson County.

Premium Incomes Support Premium Housing

Despite a 19.1% rent-to-income ratio—the highest among surveyed counties—Kendall residents comfortably afford it through robust incomes. Median home values of $298,900 remain within reach for households earning $110,000+ annually.

Strategic Wealth Acceleration in Kendall

Kendall County's exceptional incomes unlock advanced wealth-building strategies unavailable to most Americans. Leverage tax-efficient investment structures, explore real estate portfolios, and consider philanthropic planning to preserve and grow substantial family wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kendall County

via HealthByCounty

Kendall County leads on life expectancy

With a life expectancy of 80.5 years, Kendall County residents outlive the U.S. average of 78.9 years by more than 1.5 years. Only 13.9% report poor or fair health, well below the national average of 12%, reflecting exceptional overall health.

Illinois's healthiest county

Kendall County's 80.5-year life expectancy tops Illinois by a significant margin—4.5 years above the state average of 76.0 years—making it the state's best performer in this dataset. The uninsured rate of 5.4% is also below the state average of 6.3%.

Regional health leader

Kendall County's 80.5-year life expectancy outpaces all regional peers, including Jo Daviess (79.9 years) and Kane (79.8 years). The county's 13.9% poor/fair health rate is the best in the comparison group.

Good coverage, moderate provider access

Kendall County's 5.4% uninsured rate ranks among the state's best, and residents benefit from decent primary care availability at 30 per 100,000 residents. Mental health services at 144 per 100,000 are adequate for a high-performing county.

Maintain excellent coverage

Kendall County's strong health outcomes are supported by above-average insurance coverage and good provider access. Continue exploring marketplace and employer options to keep the county's coverage rates among the state's best.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kendall County

via RiskByCounty

Kendall County faces elevated tornado exposure

Kendall County's composite risk score of 80.25 exceeds Illinois's state average of 54.46 by roughly 47%, earning a relatively low risk rating. The score reflects significant tornado risk (89.66) and flood exposure (79.74), though other hazard types remain more moderate.

Upper-tier risk among Illinois counties

Kendall County's 80.25 score places it in the upper range of statewide risk, significantly above the state average of 54.46. The county's tornado risk of 89.66 is among the highest in Illinois, while flood risk of 79.74 also ranks above most counties.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Kendall County's 80.25 score exceeds Johnson County (51.08) and Jo Daviess County (51.30) but falls below Kane County (94.59) and Kankakee County (88.23). This positions Kendall as a moderate-to-high-risk county in its region.

Tornadoes and floods are dominant threats

Kendall County's tornado risk of 89.66 is exceptionally high, while flood risk of 79.74 represents the second major hazard. Earthquake exposure of 66.48 is moderate, and wildfire and hurricane risks remain minimal at 14.25 and 9.93 respectively.

Storm and flood protection is critical

Kendall County residents should prioritize flood insurance and ensure comprehensive tornado coverage through their homeowners policy or a separate rider. Building or designating a safe room, securing outdoor objects, and maintaining emergency supplies are essential given the county's exceptional tornado exposure.

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.