RANK #62 / 996 · POP 52,624 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.2%
Morris, the county seat of Grundy County, Illinois, offers a glimpse into the region's past with its historic downtown, featuring small shops and independent restaurants. Located about 45 to 60 minutes southwest of Chicago, Grundy County provides a blend of rural and urban characteristics. The county is situated along the Illinois River and the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal, offering natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking and boating in its state parks and nature preserves. Commuting to Chicago is possible by car, taking around 1 hour and 19 minutes, or by train and taxi.
Life in Grundy County is characterized by a strong sense of community, attracting families and young professionals. The public schools in Grundy County are highly rated, with institutions like Minooka Community High School and Coal City Middle School receiving positive recognition. The local economy is experiencing growth, with job increases in sectors such as general merchandise, retail, truck transportation, health, personal care, oil and gas extraction, and construction. The county is also seeing investment in energy and infrastructure, contributing to its economic development.
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
CPV Three Rivers Energy Center
Competitive Power Ventures (CPV)
|
$1,300M | Operating |
|
Tract Morris Data Center
Tract
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Cielo Minooka Data Center
Cielo Digital Infrastructure
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Blue Sky Solar Project
Blue Sky Solar
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Buffalo Solar Farm
RWE
|
$116M | Under Construction |
|
Rebuild Illinois Capital Program (18 major projects)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$103M | Underway/Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grundy County has a Boom Town Index score of 94/100, ranking #62 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.5% and a median household income of $89,993, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Grundy County is $245,400 with median rent at $1,126/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3667, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.5%. Home values changed +3.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.46% of Grundy County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.