Kankakee County, Illinois

County in Illinois, United States

U.S. county in Illinois

Kankakee County

U.S. county

Kankakee County Courthouse

Kankakee County Courthouse

Map of Illinois highlighting Kankakee County

Location within the U.S. state of Illinois

Illinois's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Illinois
Founded| February 11, 1853
Named for| Kankakee River
Seat| Kankakee
Largest city| Kankakee
Area

• Total| 681 sq mi (1,760 km2)
• Land| 677 sq mi (1,750 km2)
• Water| 4.8 sq mi (12 km2)  0.7%
Population

(2010)

• Total| 113,449
• Estimate

(2019)

| 109,862
• Density| 170/sq mi (64/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.co.kankakee.il.us

Kankakee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 113,449.[1] Its county seat is Kankakee.[2] Kankakee County comprises the Kankakee, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Climate and weather
* 2.2 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Cities
* 4.2 Villages
* 4.3 Unincorporated Communities
* 4.4 Townships
* 5 Politics
* 6 Education
* 7 Transportation
* 7.1 Major Highways
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## History

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

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 or Metis 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.

* Kankakee County at the time of its creation in 1853

Kankakee County at the time of its creation in 1853

## Geography

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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) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water.[3]

### Climate and weather

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Kankakee, Illinois

Climate chart (explanation)

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1.8

1.6

2.8

3.8

4.5

4.4

4.4

3.1

3.5

2.7

3.4

2.6

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[4]
| Metric conversion

−11

115

113

111

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

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.[4]

### Adjacent counties

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* Will County – north
* Lake County, Indiana – northeast
* Newton County, Indiana – east
* Iroquois County – south
* Ford County – southwest
* Livingston County – west
* Grundy County – northwest

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1860| 15,412| | —
1870| 24,352| | 58.0%
1880| 25,047| | 2.9%
1890| 28,732| | 14.7%
1900| 37,154| | 29.3%
1910| 40,752| | 9.7%
1920| 44,920| | 10.2%
1930| 50,095| | 11.5%
1940| 60,877| | 21.5%
1950| 73,524| | 20.8%
1960| 92,063| | 25.2%
1970| 97,250| | 5.6%
1980| 102,926| | 5.8%
1990| 96,255| | −6.5%
2000| 103,833| | 7.9%
2010| 113,449| | 9.3%
2019 (est.)| 109,862| [5]| −3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[1]

File:USA Kankakee County, Illinois age pyramid.svg2000 census age pyramid for Kankakee County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 113,449 people, 41,511 households, and 28,680 families residing in the county.[10] 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).[3] 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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[10]

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.[12]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Kankakee
* Momence

### Villages

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* Aroma Park
* Bonfield
* Bourbonnais
* Bradley
* Buckingham
* Chebanse
* Essex
* Grant Park
* Herscher
* Hopkins Park
* Irwin
* Limestone
* Manteno
* St. Anne
* Reddick
* Sammons Point
* Sun River Terrace
* Union Hill

### Unincorporated Communities

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* Ahern
* Altorf
* Deselm
* Dickeys
* Exline
* Garden of Eden
* Goodrich
* Greenwich
* Illiana Heights
* Illinoi (partial)
* Indian Oaks
* Leesville
* Lehigh
* Log Cabin Camp
* Saint George
* Sherburnville
* Sollitt
* Sugar Island
* Whitaker
* Wichert

### Townships

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Kankakee County is divided into seventeen townships:

* Aroma
* Bourbonnais
* Essex
* Ganeer
* Kankakee
* Limestone
* Manteno
* Momence
* Norton
* Otto
* Pembroke
* Pilot
* Rockville
* St. Anne
* Salina
* Sumner
* Yellowhead

## Politics

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United States presidential election results for Kankakee County, Illinois[13] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

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No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 28,532  | 57.02% | 20,271  | 40.51%  | 1,237  | 2.47%
2016 | 25,129  | 53.12% | 18,971  | 40.10%  | 3,205  | 6.78%
2012 | 23,136  | 50.68% | 21,595  | 47.30%  | 923  | 2.02%
2008 | 22,527  | 46.80%  | 24,750  | 51.41% | 861  | 1.79%
2004 | 24,739  | 54.93% | 20,003  | 44.42%  | 294  | 0.65%
2000 | 20,049  | 49.89% | 19,180  | 47.73%  | 954  | 2.37%
1996 | 14,595  | 41.41%  | 16,820  | 47.73% | 3,826  | 10.86%
1992 | 15,411  | 38.46%  | 17,229  | 43.00% | 7,431  | 18.54%
1988 | 20,316  | 56.82% | 15,147  | 42.36%  | 292  | 0.82%
1984 | 23,807  | 60.02% | 15,246  | 38.44%  | 612  | 1.54%
1980 | 23,810  | 58.25% | 14,626  | 35.78%  | 2,437  | 5.96%
1976 | 23,003  | 54.63% | 18,394  | 43.68%  | 711  | 1.69%
1972 | 26,866  | 66.54% | 13,434  | 33.27%  | 73  | 0.18%
1968 | 20,025  | 52.35% | 14,460  | 37.80%  | 3,765  | 9.84%
1964 | 16,082  | 43.61%  | 20,792  | 56.39% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 20,311  | 54.23% | 17,115  | 45.70%  | 26  | 0.07%
1956 | 21,993  | 66.39% | 11,088  | 33.47%  | 47  | 0.14%
1952 | 20,279  | 61.44% | 12,636  | 38.29%  | 90  | 0.27%
1948 | 15,699  | 57.71% | 11,305  | 41.56%  | 197  | 0.72%
1944 | 15,256  | 57.16% | 11,342  | 42.50%  | 90  | 0.34%
1940 | 15,998  | 53.62% | 13,716  | 45.97%  | 124  | 0.42%
1936 | 10,935  | 41.21%  | 13,162  | 49.60% | 2,441  | 9.20%
1932 | 10,873  | 43.86%  | 13,555  | 54.67% | 364  | 1.47%
1928 | 11,905  | 53.44% | 10,247  | 45.99%  | 127  | 0.57%
1924 | 12,462  | 67.47% | 2,488  | 13.47%  | 3,521  | 19.06%
1920 | 12,853  | 79.33% | 2,828  | 17.46%  | 520  | 3.21%
1916 | 10,594  | 62.28% | 6,096  | 35.84%  | 319  | 1.88%
1912 | 3,178  | 36.41% | 2,532  | 29.01%  | 3,018  | 34.58%
1908 | 5,999  | 68.46% | 2,461  | 28.08%  | 303  | 3.46%
1904 | 6,162  | 74.93% | 1,652  | 20.09%  | 410  | 4.99%
1900 | 5,798  | 67.44% | 2,674  | 31.10%  | 125  | 1.45%
1896 | 5,471  | 68.20% | 2,370  | 29.54%  | 181  | 2.26%
1892 | 3,577  | 54.42% | 2,763  | 42.04%  | 233  | 3.54%

Although a typical prosperous Yankee “collar”-type county in the century following the Civil War, 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 in Illinois's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Robin Kelly (D-Matteson). 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.[14] 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.[15][16]

## Education

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

## Transportation

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Kankakee County is served by the Greater Kankakee Airport. Amtrak runs train service through the city via Kankakee station.

### Major Highways

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* Interstate 57
* U.S. Highway 45
* U.S. Highway 52
* Illinois Route 1
* Illinois Route 17
* File:Illinois 50.svg Illinois Route 50
* File:Illinois 102.svg Illinois Route 102
* File:Illinois 113.svg Illinois Route 113
* File:Illinois 114.svg Illinois Route 114
* Illinois Route 115

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Kankakee County, Illinois

## References

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Specific

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
4. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Kankakee, Illinois". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
8. ^ "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.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ a b c "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.
11. ^ "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.
12. ^ "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.
13. ^ 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.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ 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.
16. ^ Breach, Chris (November 4, 2020). "Kankakee County Board District 23". Daily Journal. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020.

General

* Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. ISBN 0-934213-48-8. `{{cite book}}`: `|first=` has generic name (help)

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kankakee County, Illinois.

* Official website
* Atlas of Kankakee County from 1883

Places adjacent to Kankakee County, Illinois

| Grundy County | Will County | Lake County, Indiana

|
|

|  |
Livingston County |

Kankakee County, Illinois

| Newton County, Indiana
|  |
Ford County | Iroquois County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States

County seat: Kankakee

Cities|

* Kankakee
* Momence

File:Map of Illinois highlighting Kankakee County.svgMap of Illinois highlighting Kankakee County

Villages|

* Aroma Park
* Bonfield
* Bourbonnais
* Bradley
* Buckingham
* Cabery‡
* Chebanse‡
* Essex
* Grant Park
* Herscher
* Hopkins Park
* Irwin
* Limestone
* Manteno
* Reddick‡
* St. Anne
* Sammons Point
* Sun River Terrace
* Union Hill

Townships|

* Aroma
* Bourbonnais
* Essex
* Ganeer
* Kankakee
* Limestone
* Manteno
* Momence
* Norton
* Otto
* Pembroke
* Pilot
* Rockville
* St. Anne
* Salina
* Sumner
* Yellowhead

Unincorporated
communities|

* Ahern
* Altorf
* Deselm
* Dickeys
* Exline
* Garden of Eden
* Goodrich
* Greenwich
* Illiana Heights
* Illinoi‡
* Indian Oaks
* Leesville
* Lehigh
* Log Cabin Camp
* Saint George
* Sherburnville
* Sollitt
* Sugar Island
* Whitaker
* Wichert

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties.

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Chicago metropolitan area

Major city|

* Chicago

Cities
(over 30,000 in 2010)|

* Aurora
* Berwyn
* Calumet City
* Chicago Heights
* Crystal Lake
* DeKalb
* Des Plaines
* Elgin
* Elmhurst
* Evanston
* Gary
* Hammond
* Joliet
* Kenosha
* Naperville
* North Chicago
* Park Ridge
* Portage
* St. Charles
* Valparaiso
* Waukegan
* Wheaton

Towns and villages
(over 30,000 in 2010)|

* Addison
* Algonquin
* Arlington Heights
* Bartlett
* Bolingbrook
* Buffalo Grove
* Carol Stream
* Carpentersville
* Cicero
* Downers Grove
* Elk Grove Village
* Glendale Heights
* Glenview
* Gurnee
* Hanover Park
* Hoffman Estates
* Lombard
* Merrillville
* Mount Prospect
* Mundelein
* Northbrook
* Oak Lawn
* Oak Park
* Orland Park
* Oswego
* Palatine
* Plainfield
* Romeoville
* Schaumburg
* Skokie
* Streamwood
* Tinley Park
* Wheeling
* Woodridge

Counties|

* Cook
* DeKalb
* DuPage
* Grundy
* Jasper
* Kane
* Kendall
* Kenosha
* Lake, IL
* Lake, IN
* McHenry
* Newton
* Porter
* Will

Regions|

* Great Lakes
* Northern Illinois
* Northern Indiana

Sub-regions|

* Chicago Southland
* Eastern Ridges and Lowlands
* Fox Valley (Illinois)
* Golden Corridor
* Illinois Technology and Research Corridor
* North Shore (Chicago)
* Northwest Indiana

Illinois, United States

* v
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* e

State of Illinois

Springfield (capital)

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Regions|

* American Bottom
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Municipalities|

* Alton/Granite City/Edwardsville
* Arlington Heights/Palatine
* Aurora/Naperville/Oswego/Plainfield
* Bartlett/Hanover Park/Streamwood
* Belleville/East St. Louis/Collinsville/O'Fallon
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* Oak Park
* Orland Park/Tinley Park
* Ottawa/Streator/LaSalle/Peru
* Peoria/Pekin/East Peoria/Morton/Washington
* Pontiac
* Quincy
* Rochelle
* Rockford/Belvidere/Machesney Park/Loves Park
* St. Charles
* Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates/Elk Grove Village
* Springfield
* Sterling/Rock Falls
* Taylorville
* Waukegan/North Chicago/Gurnee
* Wheaton

Counties|

* Adams
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* Bond
* Boone
* Brown
* Bureau
* Calhoun
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* Cass
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* Christian
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* Rock Island
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* Tazewell
* Union
* Vermilion
* Wabash
* Warren
* Washington
* Wayne
* White
* Whiteside
* Will
* Williamson
* Winnebago
* Woodford

Coordinates: 41°08′N 87°52′W﻿ / ﻿41.14°N 87.86°W﻿ / 41.14; -87.86
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