Living in Kankakee, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kankakee · Census data 2020–2024
Kankakee has 23,996 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $47,514 (43% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $104,900, the median rent is $1,023/month.
Kankakee at a glance
- Population
- 23,996
- Median age
- 36.1State: 39
- Median household income
- $47,514State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $104,900State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,023/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 50.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Kankakee a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 60% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Kankakee
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kankakee the median home value is $104,900, 68% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,023 per month, which is 33.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,331 a month in housing costs.
Kankakee median household income
The median household income in Kankakee is $47,514 and the income per person is $25,563. 25.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Kankakee: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,049
- Owner-occupied
- 50.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.2%
- Vacant
- 17.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.48
Kankakee demographics
- Population
- 23,996
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 25.1%
- 65 and older
- 14.3%
- Households
- 9,122
- Foreign-born
- 13.4%
- Veterans
- 5.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kankakee ›
Education in Kankakee
13% of adults 25 and older in Kankakee have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 5.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kankakee
- Unemployment rate
- 7.6%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 4.7%
- Drive alone
- 75.1%
- Public transit
- 2.7%
- Walk to work
- 2.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.6%
Kankakee vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee | 23,996 | $47,514 | $104,900 | $1,023 |
| Aroma Park | 655 | $78,500 | $157,200 | $850 |
| Bradley | 15,325 | $67,420 | $173,400 | $1,186 |
| Sammons Point | 223 | $62,250 | $168,800 | — |
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | $212,200 | $1,182 |
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | $253,100 | $1,269 |
| Sun River Terrace | 636 | $65,481 | $125,000 | $1,083 |
| Chebanse | 920 | $65,278 | $161,500 | $1,027 |
| St. Anne | 1,104 | $83,077 | $154,900 | $921 |
More for people moving to Kankakee
Kankakee ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kankakee: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kankakee, IL?
The median household income in Kankakee is $47,514, 43% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Kankakee?
The median home value in Kankakee is $104,900, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Kankakee?
The median gross rent in Kankakee is $1,023 per month, about 33.1% of household income.
Is Kankakee, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 60% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
What is the median age in Kankakee?
The median age in Kankakee is 36.1 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Kankakee?
The average commute to work in Kankakee is 22 minutes; 4.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kankakee?
The unemployment rate in Kankakee is 7.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kankakee?
13% of adults in Kankakee have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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