Kane County, Illinois Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 5th-largest in Illinois
The population of Kane County, Illinois is 516,097 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 5th-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $100,678, the median home value is $303,000, and the median age is 38.6.
The population of Kane County has grown 1.0% since 2010 (516,060 → 520,997), a +0.07% annualized rate.
516,097
Population
+0.07%
Annual growth
994
People / sq mi
$100,678
Median Income
$303,000
Median Home Value
Kane County covers 519 sq mi of land at 993.9 people per square mile.
About Kane County, IL
What sets Kane County apart is money: median household income runs $100,678, above the US median of $78,538. With 516,097 residents, Kane County is a county in Illinois. It is the #5-largest of all counties in Illinois nationally.
Households here are among the highest-earning of all US counties: median income is $100,678, above the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 6.1%, is on the lower side for US counties and below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $303,000, with typical rent around $1,404.
College attainment is above the local norm at 37.5%, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 14.4%, close to the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.
Taken together, the income and housing figures place Kane County firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US counties — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.
Kane County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Kane County had a population of 516,060 in 2010 and 520,997 in 2024, a 1.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 532,838 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: 0.07%.
520,997
Population (2024)
516,060
Population (2010)
532,838
Peak (2018)
0.07%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 516,060 |
| 2011 | 519,091 |
| 2012 | 520,615 |
| 2013 | 522,523 |
| 2014 | 525,476 |
| 2015 | 528,562 |
| 2016 | 530,540 |
| 2017 | 532,101 |
| 2018 | 532,838 |
| 2019 | 532,293 |
| 2020 | 516,403 |
| 2021 | 516,564 |
| 2022 | 515,070 |
| 2023 | 517,241 |
| 2024 | 520,997 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 61.7% |
| Black or African American | 5.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
38.6
Median Age
49.9%
Female
50.1%
Male
15.0%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.6% · Seniors (65+): 15.0%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $100,678+$18,976 vs state |
| Mean household income | $128,682 |
| Per-capita income | $46,013 |
| Poverty rate | 6.1%-2.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 66.0% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Kane County is professional & business services, accounting for 19.7% of workers.
How residents commute
1.7%
Drive alone
1.3%
Carpool
71.9%
Public transit
14.4%
Work from home
28.3 min
Avg commute
Housing
$303,000+$52,500 vs state
Median home value
$1,404
Median rent
75.7%
Homeownership rate
189,918
Total housing units
96.5%
Occupied
3.5%
Vacant
24.3%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.1%
With health insurance
96.6%
With broadband internet
15.2%
Foreign-born
4.6%
Veterans (18+)
9.5%
With a disability
68.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
87.0%
High School+
37.5%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about Kane County, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Kane County, Illinois has a population of 516,097 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 5th-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 994 people per square mile.
The population of Kane County has grown 1.0% since 2010 (516,060 → 520,997), a +0.07% annualized rate.
The median household income in Kane County, Illinois is $100,678, with mean (average) household income of $128,682 and per-capita income of $46,013. 6.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Kane County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (61.7%), Black or African American (5.1%), Hispanic or Latino (2.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Kane County, Illinois is 38.6 years. Residents are 49.9% female and 50.1% male.
The median home value in Kane County is $303,000 and median monthly rent is $1,404. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 189,918 total housing units, 3.5% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Kane County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 19.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.
Chicago is among the largest cities associated with Kane County, Illinois, with a population of 2,707,648.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.