Kankakee County, Illinois

Last updated

Kankakee County
County
Kankakee County Courthouse.jpg
Kankakee County Courthouse
Map of Illinois highlighting Kankakee County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Illinois
Illinois in United States.svg
Illinois's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°08′N87°52′W / 41.14°N 87.86°W / 41.14; -87.86
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Illinois.svg Illinois
FoundedFebruary 11, 1853
Named after Kankakee River
Seat Kankakee
Largest cityKankakee
Area
 • Total
681 sq mi (1,760 km2)
 • Land677 sq mi (1,750 km2)
 • Water4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
107,502
 • Estimate 
(2024)
106,410 Decrease2.svg [1]
 • Density160/sq mi (61/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd
Website www.k3county.net

Kankakee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 107,502. [2] Its county seat is Kankakee. [3] Kankakee County comprises the Kankakee, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Starting in the 1770s, if not earlier, the area that is now Kankakee County was largely populated by the Potawatomi.

French Canadian Settlers came to Kankakee County in 1834, after the federal government signed the Treaty of Camp Tippecanoe in 1832. They were soon joined by migrants from New York and Vermont, mostly locating in Momence, Illinois. In the 1840s, most of the migrants were French Canadians, and they settled in such places as Bourbonnais.

An act of the Illinois Legislature created Kankakee County out of the north part of Iroquois County and the south part of Will County in February 1853. The six original townships were Yellowhead, Rockville, Bourbonnais, Momence, Aroma Park, and Limestone. The population of the new county was about 8,000. In 1855 the two western townships (Norton and Essex) were taken from Vermilion County and added to Kankakee County. The county was named for the Kankakee River.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 681 square miles (1,760 km2), of which 677 square miles (1,750 km2) (99.3%) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water. [4]

Climate and weather

Kankakee, Illinois
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source: The Weather Channel [5]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Kankakee have ranged from a low of 12 °F (−11 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.62 inches (41 mm) in February to 4.54 inches (115 mm) in May. [5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 15,412—
1870 24,35258.0%
1880 25,0472.9%
1890 28,73214.7%
1900 37,15429.3%
1910 40,7529.7%
1920 44,92010.2%
1930 50,09511.5%
1940 60,87721.5%
1950 73,52420.8%
1960 92,06325.2%
1970 97,2505.6%
1980 102,9265.8%
1990 96,255−6.5%
2000 103,8337.9%
2010 113,4499.3%
2020 107,502−5.2%
2023 (est.)105,940 [6] −1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9]
1990-2000 [10] 2010 [11]
2000 census age pyramid for Kankakee County USA Kankakee County, Illinois age pyramid.svg
2000 census age pyramid for Kankakee County

2020 census

Kankakee County, Illinois – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980 [12] Pop 1990 [13] Pop 2000 [14] Pop 2010 [15] Pop 2020 [16] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)86,03679,20880,82983,21873,59183.59%82.29%77.85%73.35%68.46%
Black or African American alone (NH)14,83614,29315,94216,99815,41714.41%14.85%15.35%14.98%14.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1541401451871730.15%0.15%0.14%0.16%0.16%
Asian alone (NH)3996186991,0301,0690.39%0.64%0.67%0.91%0.99%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [17] x [18] 153213xx0.01%0.03%0.01%
Other race alone (NH)249501191033720.24%0.05%0.11%0.09%0.35%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [19] x [20] 1,1251,7144,347xx1.08%1.51%4.04%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1,2521,9464,95910,16712,5201.22%2.02%4.78%8.96%11.65%
Total102,92696,255103,833113,449107,502 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 113,449 people, 41,511 households, and 28,680 families residing in the county. [21] The population density was 167.7 inhabitants per square mile (64.7/km2). There were 45,246 housing units at an average density of 66.9 per square mile (25.8/km2). [4] The racial makeup of the county was 77.6% white, 15.1% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 4.0% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.0% of the population. [21] In terms of ancestry, 26.5% were German, 14.2% were Irish, 7.4% were English, 6.7% were Italian, 5.8% were Polish, and 3.6% were American. [22]

Of the 41,511 households, 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 36.7 years. [21]

The median income for a household in the county was $50,484 and the median income for a family was $59,998. Males had a median income of $49,858 versus $32,247 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,888. About 10.8% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over. [23]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated Communities

Townships

Kankakee County is divided into seventeen townships:

Politics

United States presidential election results for Kankakee County, Illinois [24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1892 3,57754.42%2,76342.04%2333.54%
1896 5,47168.20%2,37029.54%1812.26%
1900 5,79867.44%2,67431.10%1251.45%
1904 6,16274.93%1,65220.09%4104.99%
1908 5,99968.46%2,46128.08%3033.46%
1912 3,17836.41%2,53229.01%3,01834.58%
1916 10,59462.28%6,09635.84%3191.88%
1920 12,85379.33%2,82817.46%5203.21%
1924 12,46267.47%2,48813.47%3,52119.06%
1928 11,90553.44%10,24745.99%1270.57%
1932 10,87343.86%13,55554.67%3641.47%
1936 10,93541.21%13,16249.60%2,4419.20%
1940 15,99853.62%13,71645.97%1240.42%
1944 15,25657.16%11,34242.50%900.34%
1948 15,69957.71%11,30541.56%1970.72%
1952 20,27961.44%12,63638.29%900.27%
1956 21,99366.39%11,08833.47%470.14%
1960 20,31154.23%17,11545.70%260.07%
1964 16,08243.61%20,79256.39%00.00%
1968 20,02552.35%14,46037.80%3,7659.84%
1972 26,86666.54%13,43433.27%730.18%
1976 23,00354.63%18,39443.68%7111.69%
1980 23,81058.25%14,62635.78%2,4375.96%
1984 23,80760.02%15,24638.44%6121.54%
1988 20,31656.82%15,14742.36%2920.82%
1992 15,41138.46%17,22943.00%7,43118.54%
1996 14,59541.41%16,82047.73%3,82610.86%
2000 20,04949.89%19,18047.73%9542.37%
2004 24,73954.93%20,00344.42%2940.65%
2008 22,52746.80%24,75051.41%8611.79%
2012 23,13650.68%21,59547.30%9232.02%
2016 25,12953.12%18,97140.10%3,2056.78%
2020 28,53257.02%20,27140.51%1,2372.47%
2024 28,28559.19%18,39938.50%1,1012.30%

Kankakee County is currently considered a Republican-leaning swing county. In the 2008 Presidential Election, Kankakee County voted 52 percent in favor of Illinois native Barack Obama (D), giving 47 percent to John McCain (R). However, in the 2004 Presidential Election, Kankakee County voted 55 percent in favor of George W. Bush (R) and 44 percent for John Kerry (D).

Kankakee County is split between Illinois's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), and Illinois's 1st congressional district, represented by Jonathan Jackson (D-Chicago). Kankakee County has produced three governors: Len Small (R), Samuel H. Shapiro (D), and George H. Ryan (R).

In December 2016, Kankakee County became the only county in Illinois to have a Libertarian county board member when Jim Byrne of Bradley left the Republican Party to join the Libertarian Party. [25] In the 2020 general election, Byrne lost reelection to Democratic candidate Heather Bryan, while Libertarian Jacob Collins was elected unopposed on the Libertarian line continuing Kankakee County's distinction of being the only county with a Libertarian board member [26] [27] until Collins opted not to run for reelection in the 2022 general election. [28]

Education

The county is home to Olivet Nazarene University and Kankakee Community College.

Transportation

Kankakee County is served by the Greater Kankakee Airport. Amtrak runs train service through the city via Kankakee station. The station serves the Illini and Saluki trains to Carbondale as well as the City of New Orleans . The city of Kankakee has local public transit service provided by the River Valley Metro Mass Transit District. Momence and rural Kankakee county are served by SHOW Bus.

Major highways

See also

References

Specific
  1. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2024". United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce. March 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Kankakee County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Kankakee, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  12. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois- Table 14 - Persons by Race and Table 16 (p. 18-28) - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 29-39)" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  13. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Illinois - Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Orogin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau .
  14. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kankakee County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  15. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kankakee County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kankakee County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau .
  17. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  24. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Kankakee County Board's Byrne Joins Libertarian Party of Illinois" (Press release). Springfield, Illinois: Libertarian Party of Illinois. December 7, 2016. Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  26. ↑ Winger, Richard (November 22, 2020). "Libertarian Party Won Four Partisan Races Earlier This Month". Ballot Access News . Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  27. ↑ Breach, Chris (November 4, 2020). "Kankakee County Board District 23". Daily Journal. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020.
  28. ↑ Breach, Chris (November 9, 2023). "Republicans sweep other 5 contested Kankakee County Board seats". Daily Journal . Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
General

41°08′N87°52′W / 41.14°N 87.86°W / 41.14; -87.86

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