RANK #61 / 996 · POP 109,495 · IL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.3%
LaSalle County, Illinois, is often recognized for Starved Rock State Park, a natural landmark featuring canyons, waterfalls, and over 13 miles of hiking trails along the Illinois River. Located about 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and river towns like Ottawa, its largest city and county seat. The community feel is generally conservative, with many residents owning their homes. Commute options to Chicago include driving, which takes under two hours, or a combination of taxi and train from Mendota. The Illinois River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal, a National Heritage Area, provide significant outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking.
Life in LaSalle County offers a more relaxed pace with access to natural amenities. The public schools are considered above average. The economy is supported by a mix of sectors, with manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare being prominent employers. Recent economic developments show ongoing investment in energy-related industries, contributing to the local job market. The county's historical significance, including its role in the Illinois & Michigan Canal's development, continues to shape its identity and attract visitors.
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
LaSalle County Station Nuclear Plant License Renewal
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC
|
$370M | Operating |
|
Osagrove Flats Wind Farm
Avangrid
|
$230M | Under Construction |
|
GSG Wind Repowering Project
GSG Wind, LLC (Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC)
|
$80M | Completed |
|
Interstate 39 Resurfacing (Marshall County line to Lincoln Memorial Bridge)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$35M | Planned |
|
Starved Rock State Park Improvements
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
|
$34M | Planned |
|
Route 23 Bridge Replacement (Ottawa over Illinois River)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
|
$26M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
LaSalle County has a Boom Town Index score of 94/100, ranking #61 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.3% and a median household income of $67,942, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in LaSalle County is $147,400 with median rent at $874/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4609, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.3%. Home values changed +9.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.61% of LaSalle County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.