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CITY

Kankakee

Illinois · 23,400 residents (2025 est.) · 15.145 sq mi
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#85Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-12.7%
The short version

Kankakee has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,514. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $104,900. The poverty rate of 25.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,996
−13%since 2000
from 27,491 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,584 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,815 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.1
+12%since 2000
from 32.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,400 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K26K27K28K1990201020202024Kankakee
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,514
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,469 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,563
+65%since 2000
from $15,479 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.6%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.5%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.477
+10%since 2010
from 0.434 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$104,900
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,023
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $491 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
49.2% rent
Vacancy rate
17.4%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.7%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 33.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.9%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
−7%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kankakee on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic47.8%(13,130)
Black40.8%(11,216)
Hispanic / Latino9.3%(2,544)
Asian0.3%(86)
Other0%
Diversity Score72.7%(19,976)
2024
White, non-Hispanic31.3%(7,515)
Black39.8%(9,556)
Hispanic / Latino24.5%(5,878)
Asian0.9%(209)
Other3.5%(838)
Diversity Score85.3%(20,458)
Diversity Score
85
+17%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.1%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 68.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+35%since 2000
from 16.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.1%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 71.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.6%
−8.7 ptssince 2011
from 16.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 62.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.6%
−32.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
13.4%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2012
from 15.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.6%
−73.0 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.6%
+21.8 ptssince 2017
from 62.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
76.8%
−5.7 ptssince 2016
from 82.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
21.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2016
from 16.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Kankakee, Illinois?

Kankakee, Illinois has about 23,996 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kankakee, Illinois?

The typical household in Kankakee, Illinois earns about $47,514 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kankakee, Illinois expensive?

In Kankakee, Illinois, the median home is worth about $104,900, and the typical rent is about $1,023 a month.

How educated are people in Kankakee, Illinois?

About 13.0% of adults age 25 and over in Kankakee, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kankakee, Illinois?

About 25.5% of people in Kankakee, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kankakee, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Kankakee, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,579 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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