Kankakee city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kankakee city, Illinois has a total population of 24,384, the 93rd largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $45,119, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Kankakee city Quick Facts
How Kankakee city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kankakee city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to Kankakee city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport city | 23,636 | $48,181 | $86,100 | 20.0% | 18.2% |
| Alton city | 25,430 | $53,005 | $99,500 | 21.2% | 24.5% |
| Zion city | 24,466 | $62,574 | $179,100 | 16.2% | 16.5% |
| Belvidere city | 24,510 | $62,462 | $153,100 | 13.2% | 15.5% |
| Danville city | 28,663 | $44,239 | $76,800 | 17.3% | 25.1% |
Population Overview
Kankakee city is a small city located in Illinois. The total population is 24,384. It ranks as the 93rd most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kankakee city is 36.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kankakee city is $45,119. This is 45% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.8%. This is 137% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $105,500. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $250,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Kankakee city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kankakee city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.2% vs 13.6%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.
Education
12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kankakee city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kankakee city, Illinois?
Kankakee city, Illinois has a population of 24,384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kankakee city, IL?
The median household income in Kankakee city is $45,119, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kankakee city, IL?
The poverty rate in Kankakee city is 27.8%. This means approximately 6,536 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kankakee city, Illinois?
Kankakee city's population is 31.9% White, 40.2% Black, 24.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kankakee city, IL?
The median home value in Kankakee city is $105,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Kankakee city, Illinois?
12.5% of adults (25+) in Kankakee city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.