RANK #241 / 996 · POP 5,225,367 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
Cook County, Illinois, is defined by its vast Forest Preserve District, encompassing nearly 70,000 acres of natural areas for hiking, biking, fishing, and nature watching. This extensive green space offers a contrast to the urban core of Chicago, which serves as the county seat and is situated within Cook County. The county, established in 1831, is located in northeastern Illinois and is a central part of the Chicago metropolitan area. Commute options are varied, with public transportation like Metra trains, CTA buses and trains, and Pace suburban buses connecting residents throughout the six-county region.
Life in Cook County offers a diverse experience, from urban living to suburban communities like Evanston and Oak Park, known for their public schools. The economy is diverse, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and community development. The county government focuses on supporting small businesses and fostering economic growth, including initiatives for workforce training. Residents benefit from various programs aimed at economic security and quality of life.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Three Rivers Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant, Grundy County serving Chicago area)
Competitive Power Ventures
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
Stream Data Centers - Chicago III Campus
Stream Data Centers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Clinton and Dresden Nuclear Plant Upgrades & Relicensing (Illinois)
Constellation
|
$370M | Operating |
|
Double Black Diamond Solar Farm (Cook County portion)
Swift Current Energy (with Constellation and Cook County as customers)
|
$120M | Operating |
|
Cook County Highway Construction Program (2025)
Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cook County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #241 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $78,304, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Cook County is $293,700 with median rent at $1,318/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2666, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +3.6% in the past 12 months.