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Population Review

Will County, Illinois Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 4th-largest in Illinois

The population of Will County, Illinois is 698,450 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 4th-largest county in Illinois. The median household income is $107,799, the median home value is $298,000, and the median age is 38.9.

The population of Will County has grown 4.4% since 2010 (678,829 → 708,583), a +0.31% annualized rate.

Will County within Illinois · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

698,450

Population

+0.31%

Annual growth

836

People / sq mi

$107,799

Median Income

$298,000

Median Home Value

Will County covers 836 sq mi of land at 835.6 people per square mile.

About Will County, IL

Will County is a county in Illinois with a population of 698,450. It ranks #4 among counties in Illinois by population. The median age is 38.9, in line with the national median. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

The median household income in Will County is $107,799, above the US median of $74,580. 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $298,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,413. The homeownership rate of 82.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Will County reflects 36.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 13.3% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 31.7 minutes each way.

Will County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Will County had a population of 678,829 in 2010 and 708,583 in 2024, a 4.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 708,583 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.31%.

2024 · 709K20102024

708,583

Population (2024)

678,829

Population (2010)

708,583

Peak (2024)

0.31%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
2010678,829
2011680,813
2012682,459
2013683,720
2014685,123
2015685,825
2016688,330
2017690,356
2018690,934
2019690,176
2020696,909
2021699,327
2022699,110
2023703,383
2024708,583

Race & Ethnicity

White65.0%
Black or African American11.8%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.6%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

38.9

Median Age

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Male

14.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.5%
5–9
6.2%
10–14
7.5%
15–19
7.5%
20–24
6.4%
25–34
12.0%
35–44
13.6%
45–54
14.3%
55–59
6.9%
60–64
6.1%
65–74
8.7%
75–84
4.0%
85+
1.5%

Children (under 15): 19.2% · Seniors (65+): 14.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$107,799+$26,097 vs state
Mean household income$131,203
Per-capita income$46,216
Poverty rate5.2%-3.0% vs state
Unemployment rate3.3%
Employment-to-population65.2%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
21.9%
Finance & real estate
11.6%
Manufacturing
10.9%
Retail trade
9.3%
Education & health care
7.7%
Information
7.0%
Construction
6.8%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.4%

The largest employment sector in Will County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.9% of workers.

How residents commute

2.4%

Drive alone

0.8%

Carpool

74.3%

Public transit

13.3%

Work from home

31.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$298,000+$47,500 vs state

Median home value

$1,413

Median rent

82.5%

Homeownership rate

252,684

Total housing units

95.5%

Occupied

4.5%

Vacant

17.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.7%

With health insurance

96.6%

With broadband internet

13.0%

Foreign-born

4.9%

Veterans (18+)

9.7%

With a disability

78.3%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.5%

High School+

36.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Illinois

Other counties in Illinois

Part of Illinois

Metro areas in Illinois

County rankings

Common questions about Will County, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Will County, Illinois has a population of 698,450 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 4th-largest county in Illinois. Population density is 836 people per square mile.

The population of Will County has grown 4.4% since 2010 (678,829 → 708,583), a +0.31% annualized rate.

The median household income in Will County, Illinois is $107,799, with mean (average) household income of $131,203 and per-capita income of $46,216. 5.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Will County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (65.0%), Black or African American (11.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Will County, Illinois is 38.9 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.

The median home value in Will County is $298,000 and median monthly rent is $1,413. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 252,684 total housing units, 4.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Will County, Illinois is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Chicago is among the largest cities associated with Will County, Illinois, with a population of 2,707,648.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.