Population 701,462 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Will County
Household size in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.09 | 2.79 | 2.69 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.09 | 2.82 | 2.71 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.04 | 2.75 | 2.66 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.93 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | −0.12 | −0.11 | −0.03 |
Households in Will County are large by national standards, averaging 2.93 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.09, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Illinois' 102 counties have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.7 | 36.8 | 37.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.1 | 37.8 | 38.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.8 | 38.9 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.8 | 39.7 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.1 | +3.0 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
At 39.8, the median age in Will County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 35.7 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the center and oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 12.0% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.6% | 11.2% | 11.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 11.5% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Will County (10.3%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has barely moved since 2006–10, while the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Will County
Renters in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.0% | 32.1% | 30.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.1% | 34.8% | 33.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 35.5% | 33.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.2% | 34.5% | 32.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Will County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.2% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over three in ten owners (31.5%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 8.9% | 9.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 7.2% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Will County: just 4.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 2.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only four of Illinois' 102 counties have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1966 | 1966 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1967 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1967 | 1968 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1970 | 1970 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Will County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing. Only one other Illinois county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,209 | $1,060 | $953 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,313 | $1,142 | $1,028 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,515 | $1,306 | $1,165 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,764 | $1,602 | $1,428 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$556 | +$542 | +$475 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Will County costs $1,764 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $556 a month from 2006–10, a 46% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.5% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Will County
Bachelor's degrees in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.2% | 33.9% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.4% | 35.2% | 32.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.9% | 37.9% | 34.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.2% | 40.9% | 37.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Nearly four in ten adults 25 and older in Will County (38.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only six of Illinois' 102 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.3% | 85.6% | 86.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.8% | 86.7% | 87.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.0% | 88.4% | 89.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.8% | 89.5% | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +3.9 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Will County have finished high school (91.8%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Will County
| Period | Will County | Chicago area | Illinois | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 9.1% | 8.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 10.8% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.9%, unemployment in Will County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area as a whole (6.3%). Unemployment is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Will County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will County | 2.93 | 39.8 | 10.3% | 17.2% | 4.9% | 1987 | $1,764 | 38.2% | 91.8% | 4.9% |
| Kendall County | 3.09 | 36.4 | 12.2% | 16.0% | 3.9% | 1997 | $1,934 | 36.6% | 94.1% | 4.3% |
| Lake County | 2.63 | 40.6 | 14.3% | 28.3% | 9.5% | 1973 | $1,238 | 26.1% | 89.9% | 6.0% |
| Porter County | 2.57 | 41.5 | 10.0% | 22.3% | 7.0% | 1984 | $1,281 | 31.1% | 93.9% | 4.5% |
| LaPorte County | 2.45 | 41.9 | 14.5% | 25.3% | 12.2% | 1969 | $1,070 | 22.3% | 90.9% | 5.0% |
| St. Joseph County | 2.52 | 38.0 | 11.4% | 31.0% | 9.7% | 1969 | $1,155 | 34.2% | 91.2% | 5.3% |
| Elkhart County | 2.95 | 37.0 | 12.6% | 28.4% | 10.4% | 1977 | $1,093 | 20.4% | 81.7% | 3.6% |
| Rock Island County | 2.29 | 41.1 | 13.3% | 30.3% | 7.8% | 1961 | $971 | 24.8% | 90.7% | 5.6% |
| Scott County | 2.39 | 40.1 | 10.8% | 30.0% | 7.7% | 1972 | $1,235 | 37.3% | 93.6% | 3.5% |
| LaGrange County | 3.30 | 33.3 | 8.5% | 17.0% | 11.9% | 1983 | $846 | 10.5% | 54.4% | 3.9% |
| Noble County | 2.64 | 39.5 | 11.3% | 22.9% | 10.8% | 1974 | $832 | 18.3% | 82.5% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: DeKalb County, GA · Jefferson County, KY · San Mateo County, CA · Cobb County, GA · Davidson County, TN · San Joaquin County, CA · Polk County, FL · Oklahoma County, OK · Monroe County, NY · Lee County, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Will County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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