Kendall County
IL · Pop. 135,053 · Mixed County
Kendall County sits in Illinois across 320 square miles, home to 135,053 people at 422 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $299,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.53%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F and average winter lows of 15.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Valley West Community Hospital is 10.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low poverty rate of 4.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $110,474 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 158-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.53% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- The nearest hospital, Valley West Community Hospital, is 10.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
At a glance
Kendall County, IL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 12/100
- Median home price
- $299k
- Property tax
- 2.53%
- Growing season
- 158 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.6"
- Broadband
- 99.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Valley West Community Hospital, 10.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kendall County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kendall County?
- Kendall County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 158-day growing season, average summer highs of 81.6°F, and average winter lows of 15.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $299,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.53%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Valley West Community Hospital is 10.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Illinois Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Illinois
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The closest counties to Kendall County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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