Kankakee, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kankakee, Illinois had a total population of 23,996, the 96th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $47,514, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Kankakee Quick Facts
How Kankakee Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,384 | 23,996 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $45,119 | $47,514 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $105,500 | $104,900 | -0.6% |
How Kankakee Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kankakee Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Kankakee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourbonnais | 18,078 | $81,708 | 9.5% | $253,100 |
| Bradley | 15,325 | $67,420 | 7.7% | $173,400 |
| Manteno | 9,030 | $97,634 | 3.5% | $248,400 |
| Momence | 3,291 | $58,365 | 10.1% | $154,800 |
| Grant Park | 1,449 | $78,385 | 9.0% | $215,800 |
| Limestone | 1,419 | $103,906 | 4.7% | $212,200 |
| Herscher | 1,246 | $91,667 | 12.2% | $197,600 |
| St. Anne | 1,104 | $83,077 | 5.3% | $154,900 |
| Essex | 1,026 | $108,250 | 3.8% | $228,200 |
| Chebanse | 920 | $65,278 | 1.5% | $161,500 |
Cities Similar to Kankakee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | 23,505 | $51,723 | $92,100 | 19.1% | 19.6% |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,700 | 21.5% | 21.0% |
| Loves Park | 23,502 | $61,868 | $160,400 | 25.7% | 14.4% |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | $183,800 | 15.1% | 16.0% |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | $163,600 | 31.0% | 12.0% |
Population Overview
Kankakee is a small city located in Illinois, within Kankakee County. The total population is 23,996. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kankakee is 36.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kankakee is $47,514. This is 43% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.5%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 7.6%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $104,900. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Kankakee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kankakee is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.8% vs 13.3%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
13.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kankakee, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kankakee, Illinois?
Kankakee, Illinois has a population of 23,996 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kankakee, IL?
The median household income in Kankakee is $47,514, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kankakee, IL?
The poverty rate in Kankakee is 25.5%. This means approximately 5,909 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kankakee, Illinois?
Kankakee's population is 31.3% White, 39.8% Black, 24.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kankakee, IL?
The median home value in Kankakee is $104,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Kankakee, Illinois?
13.0% of adults (25+) in Kankakee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.