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CITY · 2020 ACS

Kankakee

Illinois · 24,052 residents · 15.145 sq mi
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The short version

Kankakee has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $38,763. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $87,000. The poverty rate of 27.5% 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: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,052
−13%since 2000
from 27,491 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,588 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,815 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.6
+13%since 2000
from 32.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K25K26K27K28K1990201020202024Kankakee
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,763
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,469 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,680
+34%since 2000
from $15,479 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.0%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.8%
US avg: 10%
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$87,000
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$844
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $491 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.1%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 53.4% in 2000
51.9% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−5%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic33.7%(8,096)
Black38.4%(9,233)
Hispanic / Latino22.9%(5,519)
Asian0.5%(116)
Other1.2%(298)
Diversity Score83.1%(19,989)
Diversity Score
83
+14%since 2000
from 73 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
76.3%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 68.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+37%since 2000
from 16.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 71.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.1%
−8.3 ptssince 2011
from 16.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 62.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.5%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
10.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.1%
−72.5 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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KANKAKEE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Kankakee, Illinois?

Kankakee, Illinois has about 24,052 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kankakee, Illinois?

The typical household in Kankakee, Illinois earns about $38,763 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 $87,000, and the typical rent is about $844 a month.

How educated are people in Kankakee, Illinois?

About 12.8% 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 27.5% 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 3,523 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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