1st Advantage MortgageThe median Kane County household earns $103,163, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Kane County
- What Kane County households earn
- Kane County housing compared with Illinois
- The Kane County job picture
- How Kane County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Kane County
- Debt-to-income at Kane County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Kane County
- Kane County households compared
- Checklist for Kane County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Illinois
- More guides for Kane County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Kane County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Kane County's population at 517,255; only 4 of Illinois's 102 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 519 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 996 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area. Of the 25 Census places inside Kane County, Elgin leads by population with about 114,934; 24 of the 25 are incorporated.
What Kane County households earn
Half of Kane County households take in less than $103,163 a year and half take in more, 24% above the Illinois median of $83,390.
| Income band | Share in Kane County | Difference from Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.5% | -7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.8% | -2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.8% | +5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.9% | +4.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 52% of Kane County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 7.9%, 4 points lower than the state's 11.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.433 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Kane County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Kane County housing compared with Illinois
Renters in Kane County pay a median of $1,453 a month, 14% above the Illinois figure of $1,274. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $327,000, about 3.2 times the median household income. 76% of Kane County households own their home and 24% rent. Median construction year: 1985.
| Kane County | Illinois | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,453/mo | $1,274/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $327,000 | $263,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 27% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.8% | 2.3% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Kane County job picture
The biggest employer of Kane County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). Manufacturing stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Kane County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.8%). About 71% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Kane County | Compared with Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.2% | +3.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.8% | -0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | +0.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.0% | -0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Kane County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 36 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Kane County; DuPage County is highest at $112,096 and DeKalb County lowest at $70,724.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kane County | - | $103,163 | $1,453/mo | 76% |
| DeKalb County, IL | 18 mi | $70,724 | $1,049/mo | 61% |
| DuPage County, IL | 19 mi | $112,096 | $1,688/mo | 73% |
| Kendall County, IL | 24 mi | $111,601 | $1,781/mo | 84% |
| McHenry County, IL | 27 mi | $104,802 | $1,401/mo | 83% |
| Boone County, IL | 33 mi | $84,571 | $1,041/mo | 82% |
| Lake County, IL | 36 mi | $110,416 | $1,477/mo | 75% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Kane County
25 Census places fall mainly inside Kane County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 408,946 residents, leaving about 21% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Campton Hills has the highest median household income on the list ($209,134) and Kaneville the lowest ($86,875), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Kaneville ($875) and steepest in Pingree Grove ($3,501). City guides exist for the linked Kane County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin | city | 114,934 | $90,282 | $1,361 | 9 mi |
| Hoffman Estates | village | 51,175 | $106,806 | $1,734 | 17 mi |
| Carpentersville | village | 37,346 | $86,917 | $1,414 | 14 mi |
| St. Charles | city | 32,854 | $114,300 | $1,819 | 6 mi |
| Batavia | city | 27,151 | $120,056 | $1,347 | 9 mi |
| South Elgin | village | 24,217 | $127,203 | $1,640 | 7 mi |
| Geneva | city | 21,258 | $144,341 | $1,768 | 6 mi |
| North Aurora | village | 18,696 | $114,305 | $1,504 | 10 mi |
| Pingree Grove | village | 10,914 | $114,294 | $3,501 | 10 mi |
| Campton Hills | village | 10,877 | $209,134 | $1,750 | 1 mi |
| Sugar Grove | village | 9,240 | $121,207 | $1,543 | 12 mi |
| Gilberts | village | 8,606 | $146,333 | $1,901 | 12 mi |
| Hampshire | village | 8,524 | $94,773 | $2,589 | 13 mi |
| West Dundee | village | 7,906 | $105,368 | $1,666 | 12 mi |
Debt-to-income at Kane County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Kane County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Kane County: $8,597
- 17% goes to median rent ($1,453)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,986 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Kane County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Kane County
A few patterns in the Kane County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Kane County budgets.
- Consolidation math. With 52% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Kane County households compared
Degree holders: 38% of adults over 25. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Kane County | Illinois | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.1% | 37.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | 9.5% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 11.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.9% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Kane County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.4% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Checklist for Kane County applicants
A short checklist for Kane County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Kane County-area credit union.
- A Illinois license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Illinois
Kane County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Illinois: Illinois personal loans.
More guides for Kane County
Guides that cover parts of Kane County:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Kane County?
$103,163 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $83,390 for Illinois. It ranks 6th of 102 in the state.
Is Kane County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,453 against $1,274 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Kane County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Carpentersville, St. Charles, Batavia and 20 more.
Is the fit check different in Kane County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Kane County check a lender's license?
With the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.